Ceremony for the Grand Relève of the Garde Républicaine

La Garde Républicaine's Grand Reliever Ceremony: a free and original event

• Once again, we can watch the ceremony of the Grand Relief of the Republican Guard's 1st Infantry Regiment in front of the Élysée Palace.
• For the first time in 27 years, this ceremony is once again open to the public.
• This old tradition has been brought up to date by President Emmanuel Macron. a way of reaffirming the role of French institutions. It introduces youngsters to the impressive costumes, including the shako, the distinctive helmet with the scarlet cockade and plume, and real swords!
• A quick reminder: the Garde républicaine is a section of the national gendarmerie comprising 3,400 members. They ensure the security of the President of the Republic, the institutions and the Assembly.
• This ceremony took place every day between 1909 and 1996 at 7.45 a.m.
• The great changeover to which you every 1st Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m.is inspired by the old ceremonial, with the step in cadence and the sound of the bugle.
• How does the ceremony work? Two platoons of 16 soldiers march along Avenue Marigny and Rue de l'Élysée, meeting at the main entrance to the Palais de l'Élysée on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
• After military salutes and exchanges of instructions between the two section leaders, the new guard replaces the old one for a period of 24 hours.
• You can attend free of charge at this exceptional solemn ceremony