The Republican Guard (, ) is part of the French

National Gendarmerie The National Gendarmerie ( ) is one of two national law enforcement forces of France, along with the National Police (France), National Police. The Gendarmerie is a branch of the French Armed Forces placed under the jurisdiction of the Minister ...

. It is responsible for special security duties in the

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

area and for providing guards of honour at official ceremonies of the

French Republic France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

. Its missions include guarding important public buildings in Paris, such as the

Élysée Palace The Élysée Palace (, ) is the official residence of the President of France, President of the French Republic in Paris. Completed in 1722, it was built for Louis Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, a nobleman and army officer who had been appointed g ...

(the residence of the President of the French Republic), the

Hôtel Matignon The Hôtel Matignon (, ) is the official residence of the Prime Minister of France. It is located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, at 57 Rue de Varenne. The name Matignon is often used as a metonym for the governmental action of the French p ...

(the residence of the

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), the

Luxembourg Palace The Luxembourg Palace (, ) is at 15 Rue de Vaugirard in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, France. It was originally built (1615–1645) to the designs of the French architect Salomon de Brosse to be the royal residence of the regent Marie de' Med ...

(the

Senate A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

), the

Palais Bourbon The Palais Bourbon () is the meeting place of the National Assembly, the lower legislative chamber of the French Parliament. It is in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, on the Rive Gauche of the Seine across from the Place de la Concorde. The offi ...

(the

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) and the Palais de Justice, as well as keeping public order in Paris. Ceremonial and security services for the highest national personalities and important foreign guests, military ceremonies and guards of honour for fallen soldiers, support of other law enforcement forces with intervention teams, as well as staffing horseback patrol stations (particularly for the forests of the

Île-de-France The Île-de-France (; ; ) is the most populous of the eighteen regions of France, with an official estimated population of 12,271,794 residents on 1 January 2023. Centered on the capital Paris, it is located in the north-central part of the cou ...

region) are also part of its duties. The close physical protection of the President of the Republic is entrusted to the Security Group for the Presidency of the Republic (GSP), a mixed police–

gendarmerie A gendarmerie () is a paramilitary or military force with law enforcement duties among the civilian population. The term ''gendarme'' () is derived from the medieval French expression ', which translates to " men-at-arms" (). In France and so ...

unit that is not part of the Republican Guard. However, the Republican Guard does provide counter-sniper teams (''Tireurs d'élite Gendarmerie'' or TEG) and intervention platoons (''pelotons d'intervention''). The Republican Guard also represents France at international events at home and abroad.

History

The Republican Guard is the heir of the various bodies that preceded it in the course of French and Parisian history and whose task was to honor and protect the high authorities of the State and the capital city – ''Gardes Françaises'' of the French kings, Consular and Imperial Guard of

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...

, etc. Its name derives from the Municipal Guard of Paris, established on 12 Vendémiaire XI (October 4, 1802) by Napoleon Bonaparte. This unit distinguished itself in battles of historical significance, including Danzig and Friedland in 1807, Alcolea in 1808 and Burgos in 1812. In 1813, the Municipal Guard was dissolved following the attempted coup of General Malet and replaced by the Imperial Gendarmerie of Paris and then, under the Restoration, the Royal Guard of Paris and the Royal Mounted Police of Paris. In 1830, it was recreated, but after the Revolution of 1848, it was removed in favor of the Civic Guard (which proved to be a transient institution). In June 1848, under the Second Republic, the Republican Guard of Paris was created, including an infantry regiment and a regiment of cavalry. On February 1, 1849, president Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte made the Guard a part of the

. It received its insignia on July 14, 1880. The Republican Guard did not take part in

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

as a unit, but more than one third of its personnel were seconded to Army regiments for the duration of the conflict. As a consequence, its flag and banner are decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Legion of Honour. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, it reported to the police headquarters and took the name of Guard of Paris. Part of its staff rallied to General de Gaulle, and the Guard was involved in fighting alongside the FFI during the liberation of Paris. From 1947 to 1954, the Republican Guard took part in the

Indochina War The First Indochina War (generally known as the Indochina War in France, and as the Anti-French Resistance War in Vietnam, and alternatively internationally as the French-Indochina War) was fought between France and Việt Minh ( Democratic Rep ...

by sending three "Legions of March", which were mainly assigned to the training of allied indigenous troops and to the defense of certain places. The three legions, comprising a constant workforce of nearly 3,000 men, suffered heavy losses (more than 600 dead and 1,500 wounded during the conflict), which earned it the Croix de Guerre TOE. In 1954, the Republican Guard was renamed as the Mobile Gendarmerie and the Republican Guard of Paris became the Republican Guard. Both organizations were then and still remain part of the same branch in the French Gendarmerie. In 1978, President

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing Valéry René Marie Georges Giscard d'Estaing (, ; ; 2 February 19262 December 2020), also known as simply Giscard or VGE, was a French politician who served as President of France from 1974 to 1981. After serving as Ministry of the Economy ...

gave the Guard it new insignias on 11 November 1979 when the infantry regiment was split into the current two separate regiments.

Michèle Alliot-Marie Michèle Yvette Marie-Thérèse Jeanne Honorine Alliot-Marie (; born 10 September 1946), known in France as MAM, is a French politician and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from France. She is a member of the The Republicans (France), Rep ...

, Minister of Defence, said in October 2002: "The Republican Guard has a popularity that transcends borders", and it contributes "to the splendour of the French military and France."

Missions

Ceremonial duties

These ceremonial functions are performed mainly by the first infantry regiment, the cavalry regiment and occasionally by the second infantry regiment. Detachments from the cavalry regiment reinforce the two infantry regiments in carrying out ceremonial and security duties in and around state buildings. These include the lining of both sides of the entry stairs of the Elysée or Matignon Palaces (and other buildings) by dismounted cavalry on special occasions. These Republican Guards belong to the Cavalry Regiment and not to the infantry units whose mission is to ensure the security of these palaces and of senior government figures. Certain ceremonial duties in the form of honour guards are performed during state visits to the Paris museums or the Opera, as well as during other ceremonies (for example at the French Academy).

Security missions

Although the ceremonial duties attract more public attention, more than 80% of the missions assigned to the Garde are security missions. These include missions performed for the state such as protection of state buildings but also missions performed for the benefit of the population (for example patrols in the parks and streets). OCT-GR1.jpg, Guard counter-snipers (''tireurs d'élite Gendarmerie'' or TEG) File:Garde républicaine Louvre 2007 07 17.jpg, Mounted guards in service dress patrolling near the

Louvre The Louvre ( ), or the Louvre Museum ( ), is a national art museum in Paris, France, and one of the most famous museums in the world. It is located on the Rive Droite, Right Bank of the Seine in the city's 1st arrondissement of Paris, 1st arron ...

Demontration Escort Nov 2013.jpg, Escorting a rider demonstration in Paris PIGR2 AVRIL 2015.jpg, Guard intervention team (''peloton d'intervention'')

Other missions

Some guards are assigned to more specific missions: * Security of

diplomatic bag A diplomatic bag, also known as a diplomatic pouch, is a container with certain legal protections used for carrying official correspondence or other items between a diplomatic mission and its home government or other diplomatic, consular, or other ...

s entering and leaving the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the airports. * Safety of sport events such as the

Tour de France The Tour de France () is an annual men's multiple-stage cycle sport, bicycle race held primarily in France. It is the oldest and most prestigious of the three Grand Tour (cycling), Grand Tours, which include the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a ...

cyclist race by the motorcycle squadron. * Reinforcement and support to the Departmental Gendarmerie * Assistance and coopereration in foreign countries and especially in former French colonies.

Organization

The Republican Guard belongs to the French National Gendarmerie. It is made up of approximately 2,800 men and women (drawn from an overall body of 100,000 gendarmes). As a historically Parisian organization, the guards wear the armorial bearings of the city on their uniforms. It consists of two

infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, military service, service, or administrative corps, specialisation. In Middle Ages, Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of l ...

s (one includes a

motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike; uni (if one-wheeled); trike (if three-wheeled); quad (if four-wheeled)) is a lightweight private 1-to-2 passenger personal motor vehicle Steering, steered by a Motorcycle handlebar, handlebar from a saddle-style ...

squadron) and a horse

cavalry Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from ''cheval'' meaning "horse") are groups of soldiers or warriors who Horses in warfare, fight mounted on horseback. Until the 20th century, cavalry were the most mob ...

regiment. It also has four musical formations, as well as display teams demonstrating prowess in horseback or motorcycle maneuvers. The Guard is commanded by a ''general de division'' (major general). It is headquartered in the ''Quartier des Célestins'', Paris, built in 1895–1901, designed by the renowned French architect Jacques Hermant.

Cavalry regiment

Headquartered in the Quartier des Célestins, and Quartier Carnot barracks the cavalry regiment is made up of approximately 480 gendarmes and civilians of whom a little more than 10% are women. It has approximately 550 horses (11% mares) and remains the last mounted regiment in the French armed forces. The regiment is composed of: * Three squadrons of cavalry (the first is based at Quartier des Célestins, in Paris, and two others based at Quartier Carnot, also in Paris at the fringe of Bois de Vincennes), * Reserve squadron * A squadron ''hors rang'' (based at Les Célestins) and composed of: ** mounted band ** horse-shoeing (farriers), ** veterinary service. * The training centre (centre d'instruction) at Quartier Goupil

Saint-Germain-en-Laye Saint-Germain-en-Laye () is a Communes of France, commune in the Yvelines Departments of France, department in the Île-de-France in north-central France. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris, from the Kilometre Zero, centre of Paris. ...

* Hunting Horns Platoon (''Trompes de Chasse de la Garde'') This unit has a section of high level sportsmen, in particular Hubert Perring, dressage champion of France in 2005, and member of the French team for the World Equestrian Games of 2006. The Guard Cavalry Regiment is twinned with the British

Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR) is a cavalry regiment of the British Army tasked primarily with ceremonial duties. Part of the Household Division, it is classed as a regiment of guards, and carries out mounted (and some dismounte ...

, the Italian Carabinieri Cavalry Regiment and the Senegalese Red Guard.

Special displays of the cavalry regiment

Exhibition drill squads present five shows and reenactments: *le carrousel des lances (the lancer's carrousel); *la maison du Roy (the King's household cavalry); *la reprise des tandems (the tandem riders); *la reprise des douze (demonstration/lesson with 12 riders); *l’équipe de démonstration de sécurité publique (modern mounted police demonstration) CARNOT 28 SEPTEMBRE 2013 363.jpg, The lancer's carrousel CARNOT 28 SEPTEMBRE 2013 127.jpg, ''La Maison du Roy'' reenactment CARNOT 28 SEPTEMBRE 2013 122.jpg, The tandem riders CARNOT 28 SEPTEMBRE 2013 081.jpg, Public security demonstration team

Infantry regiments

The Republican Guard has two regiments of infantry: * The first infantry regiment is composed of : ** Regimental HQ ** The Republican Guard Band and Bugles (

military band A military band is a group of personnel that performs musical duties for military functions, usually for the armed forces. A typical military band consists mostly of wind instrument, wind and percussion instruments. The conducting, conductor of a ...

and fanfare battery unit) ** Motorcycle squadron ** ''Compagnie de sécurité de la Présidence de la république'' (presidential palace security company) ** Three ''compagnies de sécurité et d'honneur'' (security and honor companies) * the second infantry regiment is composed of : ** Regimental HQ ** ''Compagnie de sécurité de l'Hôtel Matignon'' (prime minister security company) ** ''Compagnie de sécurité des palais nationaux'' (CSPN) (national palaces security company; i.e., national assembly and senate) ** Four ''compagnies de sécurité et d'honneur'' (CSH) ** Auxiliary platoon Each of the seven security and honor companies is composed of three regular sections (i.e., platoons) and one peloton d'intervention (intervention platoon). The regular sections perform ceremonial duties and guards. The intervention platoons provide special security in the government buildings and palaces protected by the Guard. They are also tasked with police missions in support of the Gendarmerie in the Paris area (home arrests, escorts etc.). One of the seven intervention platoons is permanently deployed on a rotational basis to either

French Guiana French Guiana, or Guyane in French, is an Overseas departments and regions of France, overseas department and region of France located on the northern coast of South America in the Guianas and the West Indies. Bordered by Suriname to the west ...

in support of forces combating illegal gold mining or to another French oversea territory (typically Guadeloupe or Saint Martin).

Special displays of the infantry regiments

* Bayonet drill team (quadrille des baïllonnettes; 1st régiment) * The battery

fanfare band A fanfare band, fanfare corps, fanfare battery, fanfare team, horn and drum corps, bugle band, drum and bugle corps, or trumpet and drum band (including the German ''Fanfarenzug'', ''Fanfarenkorps'' and ''Regimentsbläserkorps'', the Dutch ''drumb ...

* The Napoleonic Drumline, made up of drummers wearing uniforms of the Napoleonic Wars * Emperor's grenadiers company, serving as a reenacting unit (2nd régiment) * Motorcycle display teams CARNOT 28 SEPTEMBRE 2013 214.jpg, ''Quadrille des baïonnettes'' CARNOT 27 SEPTEMBRE 2014-1 823.jpg, ''Carrousel motocycliste'' CARNOT 28 SEPTEMBRE 2013 277.jpg, ''Équipe d'acrobatie''

Band and Orchestra of the Republican Guard

Depending on needs, the orchestra performs in three configurations: * the concert band (80 musicians) * the string orchestra (40 musicians), likely to be presented in configurations of 24 or 12 bows, or in string quartets * Symphony orchestra (80 musicians) It was founded in 1848 by Jean-Georges Paulus.

Armed Forces Choir

This men's choir is composed of 46 professional singers. In spite of its name (Choir of the French army), it is part of the Guard and thus reports to the Gendarmerie and through the Ministers of the Armed Forces and Interior (owing to the military character of the service). The choir performs mainly during official ceremonies and commemorations but also during festivals and sport events of national and international importance. Since 2007, it has been led by a woman, Major Aurore Tillac, who serves as choir master and director.

Commanders of the Republican Guard

* 1813–1815: Colonel Bourgeois * 1815–1815: Colonel Colin * 1815–1819: Colonel Tassin * 1819–1820: Colonel Christophe de la Motte Guerry * 1820–1822: Colonel Tassin * 1822–1830: Colonel Foucaud de Malembert * 1830–1831: Colonel Girard * 1831–1839: Colonel Feisthamel * 1839–1843: Colonel Carrelet * 1843–1848: Colonel Lardenois * 1848–1849: Colonel Raymond * 1849–1849: Colonel Lanneau * 1849–1852: Colonel Gastu * 1852–1855: Colonel Tisserand * 1856–1858: Colonel Texier of the Pommeraye * 1859–1862: Colonel Faye * 1862–1868: Colonel Letellier-Blanchard * 1868–1870: Colonel Valentin * 1870–1873: General Valentin * 1873–1875: Colonel Allavene * 1875–1875: Colonel Grémelin * 1875–1877: Colonel Lambert * 1877–1881: Colonel Guillemois * 1881–1886: Colonel Azaïs * 1886–1889: Colonel Massol * 1889–1894: Colonel Mercier * 1894–1895: Colonel Risbourg * 1895–1897: Colonel De Christen * 1897–1899: Colonel Quincy * 1899–1902: Colonel Prevot * 1902–1903: Colonel Doutrelot * 1903–1904: Colonel Weick * 1904–1909: Colonel Bouchez * 1909–1910: Colonel Vayssière * 1910–1914: Colonel Klein * 1914–1917: Colonel Brody * 1917–1917: Colonel Lanty * 1917–1918: Colonel Brione * 1918–1922: Colonel Somprou * 1922–1924: Colonel Pacault * 1924–1926: Colonel Verstraete * 1926–1928: Colonel Miquel * 1928–1930: Colonel Moinier * 1930–1935: Colonel Gibaux * 1935–1936: Colonel Maze * 1936–1938: Colonel Durieux * 1938–1941: Colonel Ruel * 1941–1943: Colonel Martin * 1943–1944: Colonel Pellegrin * 1944–1944: Colonel Charollais * 1944–1944: Lt-Colonel FFI Chapoton * 1944–1944: Colonel Houllier * 1944–1945: Lt-Colonel Heurtel * 1945–1948: Colonel Gauduchon * 1948–1953: Colonel Nicolini * 1953–1957: Colonel Pelabon * 1957–1959: Colonel Dorin * 1959–1961: Colonel Bouchardon * 1961–1964: Colonel Gérard * 1964–1969: Brigadier general Dumont * 1969–1970: Colonel Chevrot * 1970–1976: Brigadier general Herlem * 1976–1980: Brigadier general Personnier * 1980–1984: Brigadier general de la Rochelambert * 1984–1986: Brigadier general Depardon * 1986–1988: Brigadier general Hérisson * 1988–1991: Brigadier general Kretz * 1991–1995: Brigadier general Lorant * 1995–1998: Brigadier general Villermain-Lecolier * 1998–2000: Brigadier general Puyou * 2000–2002: Brigadier general Prigent * 2002–2004: Brigadier general Schott * 2004–2007: Brigadier general Poupeau * 2007–2010: Divisional general Moulinié * 2010–2014: Divisional general Schneider * 2014-2019: Divisional general Striebig * 2019-2023: Divisional general Bio-Farina * 2023 onwards: Divisional general Thomas

Alliances

* – Red Guard

Gallery

Image:Republican Guard Cavalry Regiment Bastille Day 2008.jpg, Cavalry of the French Republican Guard - Bastille Day 2008 celebrations Image:1st Infantry Republican Guard Bastille Day 2008 n1.jpg, The 1st Infantry Regiment of the Republican Guard during

Bastille day Bastille Day is the common name given in English-speaking countries to the national day of France, which is celebrated on 14 July each year. It is referred to, both legally and commonly, as () in French, though ''la fête nationale'' is also u ...

File:EMGR Domenjod1 24-6-2017.jpg, VIP escort File:Garde républicaine quartier Célestins.jpg, Quartier des Célestins barracks and RG headquarters File:Garde et Officier Régiment cavalerie garde républicaine.jpg, Guard (left) and officer (right) of the mounted Republican Guard File:EMGR Domenjod5 27092015.jpg, Guard motorcyclists File:French GR Cavalry squadron Domenjod 140717.jpg, Cavalry squadron gathered on Bastille Day 2017 File:EMGR Domenjod7 29092021.jpg, Escorting the body of a soldier fallen in Mali - 2021

References

External links

*
Dans les coulisses de la Garde républicaine
{{Authority control

Republican Guard A republican guard, sometimes called a national guard, is a state organization of a country (often a republic, hence the name ''Republican'') which typically serves to protect the head of state and the government, and thus is often synonymous wit ...

Guards regiments of France Mounted police Guards of honour Military units and formations established in 1848 Gendarmerie brigades