Republican Guard (France) - Regiment of Cavalry

Regiment of Cavalry

Housed in the Caserne des Célestins, Paris, built in 1895-1901, designed by the renowned French architect Jacques Hermant.

The cavalry also includes the Fanfare of Cavalry and the brass band of Cavalry. It also includes more than 500 soldiers and civilians which includes a growing number of women (a little more than 8%). It has approximately 550 horses (11% mares) and remains the last unit of the French Army with horses.

The regiment is composed of:

• The Centre of Instruction (Goupil district in Saint-Germain-en-Laye),
• Three squadrons of cavalry (the first is based with the district of Célestins and two others with the Carnot district),
• A squadron hors rang (based in Célestins) and composed of:
  • Mounted Fanfare and Brass Band
  • horse-shoeing (farriers},
  • veterinary service.

This unit has a section of high level sportsmen, in particular Hubert Perring, dressage champion of France in 2005, and member of the French team for the World Equestrian Games of 2006.

The exhibition drill unit presents four activities:

• le carrousel des lances (the lancer's Carrousel) ;
• la maison du Roy (the King's house);
• la reprise des tandem (the tandem riders);
• la reprise des douze (the resumption of the twelve) ;