No helicopter displays as usual, but a miniature village of the Army. This Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the French army organized a recruitment operation in the city center of Lorient. At the end of Jules-Ferry Park, about thirty soldiers in camouflage took their positions from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. At some stands, they displayed authentic assault rifles like the Famas, weighted vests to put on, and even camouflage outfits.
The objective of this first village in Lorient was to “upgrade to showcase the army, which is somewhat unknown in the Lorient area,” explained Major Guillaume, in charge of the Center for Information and Recruitment of the Armed Forces (Cirfa) of Lorient.
Among the weapons exhibited by the army was the Caesar cannon, which caught everyone’s attention in the city center of Lorient. (The Telegram/Alan Le Cunff)
“Great”
Material regiment, maritime infantry, cynotechnical… In total, seven regiments and as many corps were represented. On display: a multi-role armored vehicle like the Griffon, a Caesar-type cannon, and even a flight simulator accessible from the age of three. Enough to attract thousands of people from Lorient throughout the day. Among them, Gaspard had his eyes fixed on the monumental cannon pointing towards the town hall. The eight-year-old boy had only one word on his lips: “Great.” Even though his mother had a different opinion: “In the current geopolitical context, it’s a bit scary to see this in the city center.” In the line for the flight simulator, it was the opposite for Damien and his two sons. “I came to show them military vehicles that are quite rare. In the end, they are not interested at all, unlike me!”
For lack of the traditional helicopter display, the K-9 unit did demonstrations in front of a hundred onlookers, at the town hall esplanade in Lorient. (The Telegram/Alan Le Cunff)
Recruitment Operation
In France, enrollment is possible from 17 and a half years old. So, this village also serves to reach out to “high school students, young people from UBS, and to some extent, middle school students,” explains Major Guillaume. “The target is primarily young people.”
In total, the Army represents 117 professions, from infantry combat to restaurateurs, including human resources. It’s a way to enhance the experience, explains the military. “Today, a soldier is not just an executor. A young soldier who enters without a diploma will come out with many qualifications that can be useful in the private sector.” 2nd Material Regiment (Rmat) in Bruz, 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment (Rima) in Vannes, K-9 unit… Discussions and simulation exercises were conducted by all the forces present. “This can recruit in all branches of the military,” the major assures.
