Cent-gardes Squadron

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Cent-gardes Squadron
Cent-garde squadron, c. 1870.
Active	24 March 1854 – 1 October 1870
Country	France
Branch	French Army
Type	Cavalry
Role	Lifeguard Ceremonial Guard
Size	Squadron
Part of	Imperial Guard
Garrison/HQ	Paris – Tuileries Palace
Nickname(s)	Cent-gardes
Commanders
Ceremonial chief	Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte
Notable commanders	Louis Lepic (1854) Albert Jacques Verly (1855) Jean Jules Bousson (1856) Armand Ernest Junqua (1857)

The Cent-gardes Squadron (French: L'Escadron des Cent-gardes), also called Cent Gardes à Cheval (Hundred Guardsmen on Horseback), was an elite cavalry squadron of the Second French Empire primarily responsible for protecting the person of the Emperor Napoleon III, as well as providing security within the Tuileries Palace. It also provided an escort for the emblems of the Imperial Guard and their award ceremony with flag and standard bearers.^[1]

The squadron was created by decree on 24 March 1854 by the Emperor. Comparisons were made between the new unit and the British Life Guards.^[2] When on duty the Cent-Gardes had to stand absolutely still and render honours only to the Emperor and members of the Imperial family. Although not formally part of the Imperial Guard, they were under the orders of the Grand Marshal of the Palace.^[3]