What is the purpose of the French Foreign Legion?

Question

Are they still active today, and can one only be French to join?

Answer 1

Established in 1831, the Legion was created as a unit for foreign volunteers (foreigners were not allowed to enlist in the French Army after 1830).  The Legion was primarily used to protect and expand the French colonial empire during the 19th century,

Yes they are still active, and it is still the "Foreign " Legion -  other than French may join.

http://www.french-foreign-legion.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Fore...

Answer 2

the french legion becomes today men from all over the world, not only french.

its purpose is to get a big mercenary troop to fight wherever it could be needed. the y pay you at the beginning 1300 Euro an they provide you home and food.

you have to learn and to be trained in the military and when somebody aomewhere needs to pay for troops you will be sent.