The Legion's Pioneers are bearded, wear buffalo leather aprons (tablier de buffle), and carry polished axes on their shoulders.

During the 18th century; small pioneer detachments, carrying axes and other working tools, served with the grenadier companies of the infantry regiments of the French Royal Army.

Originally of practical use in the difficult terrain of Algeria, the Legion's pioneers have survived to the present day as a visible symbol of its tradition of Honneur et Fidélité.

This section (platoon) of pionniers of the 1st Foreign Regiment is the one that opens the way for the Legion heading the 14th of July military parade on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

The same section of pionniers is also employed during the commemoration ceremony of the Battle of Camarón, on April 30, at the 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE to frame protect the holder of the wooden hand of captain Jean Danjou.

The Legion Pionniers distinguish themselves by their specific and unique dress uniform : Chant de Marche : Nous sommes tous des volontaires featuring:[4] Nous sommes tous des volontaires, Les gars du 1er étranger, Notre devise est légendaire, Honneur Fidélité - Fidélité, Marchons légionnaires, Dans la boue, dans le sable brûlant, (bis) Marchons l'âme légère, (bis) Et le cœur vaillant, (bis) Marchons légionnaires.