Does the French Foreign Legion swear allegiance to France?
The Legion is the only part of the French military that does not swear allegiance to France, but to the Foreign Legion itself. Any soldier who gets wounded during a battle for France can immediately apply to be a French citizen under a provision known as “Français par le sang versé” (“French by spilled blood”).
What does Legio Patria Nostra mean?
The Legion is our fatherland
The motto of the Legion is Legio Patria Nostra. The Legion is our fatherland. This means we will accept you.
What is the Bastille Day military parade?
The Bastille Day Military Parade, or Defile Militaire du 14 Juillet, is a key aspect of the celebrations of Bastille Day in France, with a huge parade of military personnel and vehicles right in the the heart of Paris.
What does Bastille Day mean?
“Bastille Day – 14th July”. Official Website of France. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. A national celebration, a re-enactment of the storming of the Bastille […] Commemorating the storming of the Bastille on 14th July 1789, Bastille Day takes place on the same date each year.
Who led the Bastille Day Parade in 2007?
While British troops had participated in the Bastille Day parades of 14 July 1919 and 1939 (see below), this was the first occasion that invited foreign troops had actually led the parade. In 2007, the parade opened with detachments from all member states of the European Union, flying the European flag. The European anthem was played.
Who leads the French Foreign Legion’s parade?
This year, the Foreign Legion was traditionally by Foreign Legion Pioneers (39 men to participate), a platoon of bearded soldiers marching ahead of the other Legion units and led by an NCO. This is an exception among the rest of the French units taking part in the parade, which are led by officers.