French Foreign Legion Patch - Hook and Loop

Foreign Legion Patch: The Grenade with Seven Flames

The Foreign Legion patch from Gym Generation is a round Velcro patch, approx. 7.5 cm in diameter: the seven-flame grenade of the French Foreign Legion with the Tricolore at its centre, embroidered in beige-gold on black and framed by an outer ring.

Seven Flames as the Legion's Mark

The flaming grenade is an old French army emblem that goes back to the grenadiers, who threw hand grenades. The standard versions have five flames. Since the 19th century, the Foreign Legion has carried a version with seven – five pointing up, two curving out to the sides – and that is exactly what sets its insignia apart from every other French grenade emblem. If you know the difference, you can identify the unit by the number of flames before reading the rest of the design.

Beige-Gold on Black in a Round Frame

The warm beige-gold carries the whole design, from the ring and the flames to the ball. On a black field it gives a soft, metallic-looking contrast rather than a hard jump from light to dark – much calmer than white on black and darker than classic yellow gold. The Tricolore at the centre is the patch's only area of colour and also its finest embroidery: three vertical stripes within a few millimetres, stitched densely to match.

On Gear and Patch Boards

The hook backing grips any loop surface: MOLLE backpacks with a loop field, loop panels on vests and jackets, gym bags with a patch panel. Our gym backpacks come with the panel built in, and on black nylon the patch's black base all but disappears – what stays visible is the beige-gold. Round patches also often end up on patch boards, because they make a strong focal point next to rectangular ones. More designs are in the hook and loop patches collection.

Foreign Legion Patch FAQ

Is this an official insignia?
No. It's a design and collector's patch on open sale – not a service insignia and not licensed equipment. It proves neither time served nor membership of a unit.

Can I wear it on a uniform?
No. Foreign insignia have no place on service uniforms, whatever the country. That doesn't apply to private gear, backpacks, vests and jackets.

What sets it apart from other grenade patches?
The number of flames and the Tricolore. Seven flames stand for the Foreign Legion, five for other French units. Designs without a Tricolore at the centre usually have nothing to do with it at all.

Does the beige-gold stay colourfast?
Yes. The colour is in the embroidery thread, not in a coating. Light shades show dirt sooner than dark ones – if needed, wipe with a damp cloth and let it air-dry.