_honneur et fidélité
Shrouded in mystique and secrecy, the French Foreign Legion has captivated public interest since its' inception in 1831. Through various conflicts, ranging from colonial struggles in Africa to epic battles in Viet Nam, the Legion has proven itself as one of the world's most elite fighting forces. Unlike any other military unity, the Legion assembles men from across the globe. From disparate beginnings, they become one.
From Paris to Marseilles, Corsica to Djibouti and on to Afghanistan, this project chronicles the men who would be legionnaires.
Legionnaires bring down the Tricolor at the end of the day in Nimes, France on April 29, 2010.
A Legionnaire instructs new recruits in battlefield tactics in Castelnaudary, France on March 2, 2010.
A Legionnaire instructs new recruits in battlefield tactics in Castelnaudary, France on March 3, 2010.
A Legionnaire instructs new recruits in a classroom setting in Castelnaudary, France on March 4, 2010.
New recruits learn French in Castelnaudary, France on March 2, 2010.
New recruits practice donning their Kepi Blancs in Castelnaudary, France on March 5, 2010. Upon completion of their training they will become Legionnaires.
New recruits slog through a blizzard in Castelnaudary, France on March 8, 2010. Upon completion of this final 'Kepi march', they will earn their Kepi Blancs and become Legionnaires.
New recruits sing by firelight during a blizzard in Castelnaudary, France on March 8, 2010. Upon completion of this final 'Kepi march', they will earn their Kepi Blancs and become Legionnaires.
New recruits march through a snowy landscape iin Castelnaudary, France on March 9, 2010. Upon completion of this final 'Kepi march', they will earn their Kepi Blancs and become Legionnaires.
A Legionnaire displays his military paraphernalia in Calvi, Corsica on March 23, 2010.
2REP Legionnaires prepare their parachutes in Calvi, Corsica on March 26, 2010.
A Legionnaire takes his first parachute jump in Calvi, Corsica on March 26, 2010.
2REP Legionnaires train in Fraseli, Corsica on March 24, 2010.
2REP Legionnaires spar in Fraseli, Corsica on March 25, 2010.
A 2REP Legionnaire scales a rope in Fraseli, Corsica on March 24, 2010.
A 2REP Legionnaire shaves in Calvi, Corsica on March 24, 2010.
Legionnaires run in Caylus, France on March 31, 2012.
Legionnaires navigate their way through the Grand Barra Desert in Djibouti on April 16, 2012.
A Legionnaire poses for a portrait in Djibouti on April 25, 2010.
A Legionnaire trains at FOB Tora on the outskirts of Sorubi, Afghanistan on June 13, 2010.
A legionnaire from the 2REP (Second Foreign Paratroop Regiment) sits in an armored personnel carrier en route to an operation near Sorubi, Afghanistan on June 16, 2010.
Members of the French Foreign Legion's 2REP (Foreign Parachute Regiment) fire an AT-4 anti-tank weapon in Sorubi, Afghanistan on June 12, 2010.
A Chinook helicopter flies overhead in the near Badpash Kusa Kala, Afghanistan on June 17, 2010. The helicopter will drop off members of the Afghan National Police as they spearhead searches of village compounds for weapons caches.
Chinook helicopters fly overhead near Badpash Kusa Kala, Afghanistan on June 17, 2010. The helicopters have dropped off members of the Afghan National Police as they spearhead searches of village compounds for weapons caches.