What is the French Foreign Legion? (Inside the Unit of Outlaws & Exiles)

The French Foreign Legion is a corps of the French Army that allows for virtually anyone to join its ranks. Quite literally, the French Foreign Legion is the unit of second chances. This is because the French Foreign Legion allows for any qualifying individual to join their ranks, even if they have a criminal history, come from a different country, or are there to escape from their former life.

Because of the unique nature of the French Foreign Legion, the bond between its members, called legionnaires, are very strong. And since 1831, the French Foreign Legion has been continually used in combat. But with that said, what exactly does the French Foreign Legion do? How can one join the French Foreign Legion? And how did a group that was originally filled with foreign outlaws become one of the most respected and romanticized military corps in history?