The bond between Napoleon and his Old Guard was real enough to make hard men weep. On 20 April 1814, his empire collapsed and his abdication signed, Napoleon walked into the courtyard at Fontainebleau to say goodbye to the Guard before leaving for exile on Elba. He spoke only a few words — that he could not embrace them all, so he would embrace their general and kiss their eagle in token of them all — took the standard in his arms, and went. Veterans who had marched across Europe without flinching stood in the ranks and openly wept. The courtyard has been called the Cour des Adieux, the Court of Farewells, ever since.

The eight-figure set marches in full dress — an officer with drawn sword, a sergeant, a drummer, and five grenadiers with muskets shouldered, in bearskins with red plumes, dark blue coats with red epaulettes, and white waistcoats and trousers. It forms the marching body of a Guard column in any French diorama. Put the Grenadiers of the Guard, Head of Column in front, fall in the sapeurs and drummers of the French Grenadiers of the Guard alongside, and carry the eagle of the French Imperial Guard Grenadiers at its heart.

Tradition of London model 769. 54mm, white metal, hand-painted in gloss enamel. Eight-figure set — an officer, a sergeant, a drummer, and five grenadiers. Supplied in the Tradition Classic Red Box. Allow 2–3 weeks delivery.