French Republican Guard
| Guarde républicaine | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1848–present |
| Country |
 France
|
| Branch | National Gendarmerie |
| Type |
Infantry, Cavalry |
| Role |
Honour Guard, Security |
| Size | 2,800 |
| Garrison/HQ | Paris |
| Decorations |
 Légion d'honneur  Croix de Guerre TOE
|
The Republican Guard (French: Garde républicaine) is part of the French Gendarmerie. It is responsible for providing guards of honor for the State and security in the Paris area.
Its missions include:
The close physical protection of the President of France is entrusted to the GSPR (Groupe de sécurité de la présidence de la République) a mixed police - gendarmerie unit which is not part of the Guard. The Guard however provides counter-sniper teams (Observateurs-contre-tireurs) and SWAT teams (called pelotons d'intervention or intervention platoons - see below).
The Republican Guard also represents France at international events at home or abroad.
The Republican Guard is twinned with the Red Guard of Senegal.
The Republican Guard is the heir of the various bodies that preceded it in the course of French history and whose task was to honor and protect the high authorities of the State and City of Paris : Gardes Françaises of the Kings, Consular and Imperial guard of Napoleon, etc.. Its name derives from the Municipal Guard of Paris, established on 12 Vendémiaire XI (October 4, 1802) by Napoleon Bonaparte. It distinguished itself in battles of historical significance, including Danzig and Friedland in 1807, Alcolea in 1808 and Burgos in 1812.
In 1813 it 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, and again removed after the Revolution of 1848 in favor of the Civic Guard (which proved to be a transient institution).
June 1848 saw the creation of the Republican Guard of Paris, including an infantry regiment and a regiment of cavalry. It received its insignia July 14, 1880. It took part in the First World War and saw its flag and banner decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Legion of Honour. During the Second World War, 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 the fightings alongside the FFI during the liberation of Paris.
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Wikipedia