At the Elysee Palace, the changing of the Republican Guard is open to the public again after a hiatus of almost 30 years.

The ritual was abandoned in 1996. The changing of the Republican Guard in front of the Elysee Palace will again be open to the public on the first Tuesday of every month, something that has not happened for 27 years, the president announced on Sunday, confirming to RTL. information.

“For the first time since 1996, the 1st Infantry Regiment of the Republican Guard will hold a ceremonial changing of the guard in front of the Elysee Palace on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, from 9 a.m.,” the president said. in a press release. “This ceremony will be open to the public and will be repeated every first Tuesday of every month,” the same source said.

By reinstating this ritual, the president wants to “further establish himself” in the republican continuity, an adviser to Emmanuel Macron told RTL. “The Republic is about continuity and ceremony, especially around our army,” he also said.

Not synchronized

During this relief, “two groups of 16 soldiers (…) will parade along the Avenue Marigny and the Rue des Champs-Élysées to cross in front of the honorary gate of the Elysée Palace on the Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Following the exchange of military greetings and instructions between the two section chiefs, the troops of the Rising Guard will enter the main courtyard of the palace at a steady pace before taking up their post for the next 24 hours,” the president said.

A ceremony reminiscent of the famous Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, which is visited by thousands of tourists every day in London.

The Republican Guard numbers about 34,000 people. The Great Changing of the Guard took place in front of the Elysee Palace between 1909 and 1996 every day at 7:45 am. Jacques Chirac put an end to this during his first mandate.