The French Foreign Legion is a military service branch of the French Army, created in 1831 by Louis Philippe. As an integral part of the French army, the French Foreign Legion is a professional fighting unit using the same equipment and with the same missions as any other infantry, tank, or engineer unit of the French army. French Foreign Legion, French Légion étrangère, an elite military force originally consisting of foreign volunteers in the pay of France but now comprising volunteer soldiers from any nation, including France, for service in France and abroad. They are volunteers of any nationality, race or creed, always ready to serve France. Commanded by French officers, it’s also open to French citizens.