blackswaneuroparedux:L’amour n’est qu’un plaisir, l’honneur est…

blackswaneuroparedux:

L’amour n’est qu’un plaisir, l’honneur est un devoir.

– Pierre Corneille

La Garde Républicaine, equivalent to the British horse guards, were  created the same year as and just after the first French Revolution in  1789 to replace the Gardes du Roi. Their function was and still is to  represent and pay respect to the highest positions of the French state.  Napoleon I gave them the name of Garde Imperiale, and they have changed  names many times during the 19th century, depending on the current  government – whether it was a King, an Emperor or a Republic with an  elected president. Today the Garde Républicaine still exists as an elite part of the French  army, in charge of protecting the French president and government.

Its infantry regiments are tasked to ensure the protection of the high  value government premises (Elysee Palace, Hotel of Matignon), both  French parliamentary assemblies, the Constitutional Council, the  Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Paris  Justice palace. On a daily basis, this mission mobilizes 900 gendarmes,  who are provided with a training oriented towards individual subduing  and close protection skills. In the event of a specific threat or a  state visit, the Guard special weapons and tactics teams and sharp  shooters, all qualified by “GIGN” (National Gendarmerie Intervention  Group), reinforce the permanent force layout. They also take part in  judicial police operations carried out by National Gendarmerie.