Category Archives: Republican Guard
Republican Guard – 14 July
6 am, 14th of July. Went to bed late the night before after hanging out taking pictures at the concert on the Place de La Bastille.
My request for acces to the Caserne Des Celestins – quarters of the Cavalry Regiment of the prestigious Garde Republicaine – had been ignored by the Ministry of Defence. I decided to pull out of bed and try my chance.
The guard on duty refused me access at first but was friendly. We befriended in 15 mn and he allowed me in. “Just say you are a member of my family if anyone asks”. Cool as.
The 14 of July is Bastille Day in France. The occasion for a military parade on the Champs Elysées, distinctions, honours and medals to the officers and parties all around the country.
A dozen of officers of the Gendarmerie Corps were to be honoured that morning at the Casernes Celestins. Among them one caught my attention. A true hero who despite being wounded in the Haiti earthquake organized the emergency help and assisted the local population.
all the Guards have been very friendly and welcoming, accepting to pose for my camera when requested.
A word for them in French: Un grand merci, Gardes. Toutes les photos individuelles n'ont pas été postées sur ce site faute de place. Si vous souhaitez recevoir des images en haute définition pour imprimer, je serais heureux de vous les faire parvenir. Adressez moi un mail ici.
So here is the harvest of that morning. Big thanks to the Republican Guard on duty at the gate.
Links: Wiki (in English) , The official site of the Guarde Republicaine (French) offers a comprehensive history of the regiment
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