14 juillet 1997
Garde républicaine
Défilé sur les Champs Elysées
The National Guard
The Republican Guard
The fundamental mission of the Republican Guard is to ensure security and to give honour to high state authorities, institutions and their distinguished foreign guests.
This function was executed by the Republican Guard for the first time in the XVIII century. It was, however, in 1849 that this corps became integrated into the Gendarmerie by Louis Napoleon Bonaparte.
Republican guards, which are only persons authorized to carry arms in the palaces and other official buildings of the Republic, are in charge, notably, of the Elysée Palace, the seat of the French National assembly, the seat of the French senate, as well as the various buildings housing ministries. They also shoulder specialized missions like guarding forests on horseback, escorting on bikes, and accompanying some public relations operations. The security of about 100 French embassies overseas is entrusted to the Republican Guard.
Le 1er régiment d'infanterie de la garde républicaine
14 juillet 2007 - Champs Elysées, Paris Collection PC FNCV
The Republican Guard is made up of two infantry regiments, one cavalry regiment and several specialized detachments: one motorcyclist squadron as well as cavalry orchestras, choirs, bands and brass bands.
La Garde républicaine
sur les Champs Elysées
Collection Levalleur
It should be noted that within the ranks of the Republican Guard are several non-commissioned officers, consummate craftsmen, who are the custodians of the art and techniques of arms fabrication, saddlery, and farriery, and have much to do with the approximately half a thousand horses of the cavalry regiment.
La Garde répblicaine à Vincennes, le 24 septembre 2011