REPUBLICAN GUARD

Republican Guard (fr. Garde républicaine, ang. The Republican Guard is a unit of the French National Gendarmerie, which is responsible for ensuring security in Paris and acts as an honor guard for the highest dignitaries of France - especially the President of the Republic. The unit was first formed in 1848, but its roots go back to the guard units from the Napoleonic period (1799-1815). Its present name was given by President Valery Giscard d'Estaing in 1979. At present, it has approx. 2,800 people, of which approx. 500 serve in a cavalry unit. Although the unit is known primarily for performing honorary functions and participating in parades on the occasion of the next anniversary of the fall of the Bastille, its officers are responsible for protecting the most important buildings and facilities in Paris. They are trained in the use of small arms and long weapons, in convoy tasks, but also - although to a lesser extent - in rescuing hostages in the Paris metropolis.