Foreign Legion Museum | Pays d'Aubagne et de l'Étoile

Two colours for Two Epochs

Visitors will discover the history of the Foreign Legion and its legionnaires, from its creation in 1831 to the present day, through a sober and elegant scenography. The picture rails devoted to the period 1831-1914 are painted a deep red, highlighting the 19th-century paintings and providing an intimate setting for exceptional military artefacts.

Subsequent periods, marked by the rise of industrial warfare, are presented on light grey and white backgrounds, accentuating the visual and historical break. Anthropological mannequins, without display cases, standing on low podiums, embody the fighting legionnaire. Their almost supernatural presence creates a silent dialogue with the visitor.

In this way, themilitary uniform is placed in its proper context: removed from the display case, it avoids the “beautiful case” effect that tends to aestheticize objects of war to the detriment of their primary function. This approach encourages a more accurate and sensitive understanding of the legionary commitment and the reality of combat.

The only military history museum in the Bouches-du-Rhône department,
the Foreign Legion Museum invites you to discover this world-renowned institution.

A Legionnaire’s Life

The tour ends with themed rooms. The first deals with the building aspect of the Legionnaire, with a focus on the Legion’s war memorial, visible from a large window overlooking the parade ground. The second, entitled “A Legionnaire’s Life”, looks at the daily life of legionnaires and the importance of song and music. The third presents the unique legionary solidarity system and the history of the museum and its collections.

Visitors end their tour in the Hall of Honour and the crypt, a memorial space that plays a special role in the life of each legionnaire (beginning and end of contract, etc.).

Lastly, they can visit the museum shop, which sells souvenirs, books and wine from the Domaine de Capitaine Danjou produced by former legionnaires, the sale of which helps to fund the legionnaires’ mutual aid scheme.