The battle of Camerone will be celebrated on Thursday, April 30th at the General Rollet district of the 1st Regiment in Laudun-l’Ardoise. The public can attend the military ceremony, the fair, and the election of Miss Képi Blanc.
It is a significant commemorative event for the Legion. Every year, on April 30th, the 1st Regiment (Foreign Legion Engineering Regiment) of Laudun-l’Ardoise celebrates the anniversary of the battle of Camerone at the General Rollet district. This battle, where a company of legionnaires resisted 2,000 Mexicans for 11 hours on April 30th, 1863, is considered the foundation of the Legion spirit. It has been commemorated annually since the early 20th century, wherever legionnaires are present.
For the 163rd anniversary, the public is invited to the General Rollet district at 9:30 am for the opening of the gates to witness the regiment’s military ceremony at 10:30 am. After the troop review, all the companies of the regiment will march on the parade ground. Following this, in the honor hall, there will be a naturalization decree ceremony for legionnaires. The fair will begin at 12:30 pm. Nearly 600 people were present in the stands in 2025 to witness this Camerone ceremony at the 1st Regiment.
In the evening, the Miss Képi Blanc election will take place (at 8:00 pm at the General Rollet district), a contest open to all adult women with multiple rounds featuring different outfits: evening wear, military uniform, and a personal choice. It will be followed by a concert (at 7:30 pm) with the group Band of the Legion.
