---
title: "The mystery of the French Foreign Legion totally exposed"
description: "Despite the Foreign Legion's involvement in most of France's wars since being established, the French don't get too bummed about their losses."
date: "2021-03-16"
modified: "2021-03-16"
authors:
  - name: "Orvelin Valle"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/orvelinvalle/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/what-we-learned-about-the-french-foreign-legion/"
categories:
  - "History"
---

# The mystery of the French Foreign Legion totally exposed

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17298729/origin.png>)

In 1831, King Louis Philippe of France expanded his country's military by establishing a service branch made up of mostly foreigners: the French Foreign Legion. Immediately after its creation, the Foreign Legion recruited fighters from Switzerland, Germany, and other countries to protect and expand the French colonial empire. Despite the Foreign Legion's involvement in most of France's wars since being established, the French don't get too bummed about their losses. Let's just say it's complicated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Al8FlBKEiQ

*Music licensed by Jingle Punks*

### Read more:

• [French Foreign Legion website](<https://en.legion-etrangere.com/>)

• [5 surprising facts you probably didn't know about the French Foreign Legion](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/french-foreign-legion/>)

• [Stereotypes aside, the French know how to finish a fight](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/french-better-war-think/>)

• [The 7 most bizarre foreign military uniforms](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/bizarre-foreign-military-uniforms/>)

## Author
OV is a Navy veteran and an expert in social media and entertainment marketing. Previously, with music electronics company Roland, he created social media outreach and growth strategies that became Roland's worldwide corporate standard. OV also managed social media and promotions for Madison Square Garden and Clear Channel Radio.