The legion fascinates,
the legion is feared ...
The legion has inspired novels, films and songs such as Edith Piaf's "Mon legionnaire" or "Les grandes geueles" starring Jean Gabin. Why? Princes, authors, artists, professional soldiers; the legion has always attracted exceptional characters. Why?
An elite unit without equal, and renowned worldwide, the Legion was created in 1831, and is ready to intervene at any time or any place in the world. Without compare by way of the originality of it's composition, it's esprit de corps and vocation, it's traditions and flamboyant history, it's continuing existence through time, it's readiness to serve, it's bravado, honour and fidelity, the Legion has always fascinated and continues to do so. Why is this?
Why is it that today, 175 years after it's creation, the kepi blanc continues to attract the adventurous soul? Why are men from so many different backgrounds, nationalities and religions attracted to this institution, erasing - often definitively, their previous lives? Why do they choose to start anew here rather than elsewhere? Does the Legion equate redemption?
Where does the astonishing homogeneity of this collection of individuals come from, whose only lien is a taste for adventure or dissatisfaction with life? Bad boys and the broken hearted, priests, doctors, lawyers, businessmen nursing a grudge; finding redemption in anonymity. Do these individuals exist among the ranks of the kepi blanc?
Does the Legion contain more criminals than other units?
Are Legionnaires on the run, soldier monks, supermen?
What is the Legion or French Foreign Legion
Who are the legionnaires?
This site will endeavour to answer these and many other questions.