The French Republican Guard (Garde Républicaine), a branch of the French Gendarmerie, is the security and ceremonial military unit of France, and consists of infantry, horse mounted, and motorcycle components.
It consists of two infantry regiments (one includs a motorcycle squadron) and a cavalry regiment (the last horse-mounted French military unit). It also has four musical formations, as well as groups demonstrating prowess in horseback or motorcycle maneuvers.
Its missions include:
- guarding important public buildings in Paris such as the Élysée Palace, the residence of the prime minister, the Senate, the National Assembly, the Hall of Justice, and keeping public order in Paris (though the last usage is rare);
- honor and security services for the highest national personalities and important foreign guests;
- support of other law enforcement forces (with intervention groups, or horseback patrols);
- staffing horseback patrol stations, particularly for the forests of the Île-de-France region;
- transporting and escorting urgent organ transplants.
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