It is the return of a tradition abandoned since the dawn of Jacques Chirac’s mandate. The changing of the Republican Guard in front of the Elysée will once again be open to the public every first Tuesday of each month, the presidency announced on Sunday, confirming information from RTL. “For the first time since 1996, the 1st infantry regiment of the Republican Guard will show the ceremony of the grand changing of the Guard, in front of the Elysée Palace, on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 9:00 a.m.,” the presidency said in a statement.
The Republican Guard has some 3,400 personnel. A large changing of the Guard was set up in front of the Elysée between 1909 and 1996, every day at 7:45 a.m. “This ceremony will be open to the public and will be repeated every first Tuesday of each month,” the same source said.
During this relief, “two sections of 16 soldiers (…) will parade along avenue de Marigny and rue de l’Elysée to cross in front of the front gate of the Palais de l’Elysée, rue du Faubourg Saint -Honored. After an exchange of military salutes 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,” detailed the Presidency.