Guards of Honour (France)

Guards of Honour
Gardes d'Honneur
Gallery of uniforms of the Guards of Honour, from left to right: Trumpeter of the 4th Regiment, Brigadier (Corporal) of the 2nd Regiment, and Chevalier (Private) of the 1st Regiment.
Active	April 1813 – May 1814
Country	France
Branch	French Imperial Army
Type	Light Cavalry
Role	Reconnaissance
Size	Four regiments
Part of	Imperial Guard Young Guard
Garrison/HQ	1st: Versailles 2nd: Metz 3rd: Tours 4th: Lyon
Nickname(s)	"The Hostages" "Garde Douleur", 'The Woeful Guard'
Engagements	Napoleonic Wars Battle of Leipzig Battle of Hanau Battle of Strasbourg Battle of Reims Siege of Paris

The Guards of Honour (French: Gardes d'Honneur) were light cavalry regiments raised in the French Imperial Army during the Napoleonic Wars in 1813. Napoleon was short of cavalry following his failed invasion of Russia and the Guards were raised to remedy this. Drawn from members of the nobility most were already experienced riders, which meant that lengthy horsemanship training was not required. They were also expected to provide their own uniforms, horses and equipment which lessened the burden on the French treasury.