The Gardes Françaises guarded the kings of France from 1563, and in 1789 they helped bring the old monarchy down. For months the regiment had been losing men to desertion, and when Paris rose that July many of its soldiers sided with the city. On the afternoon of 14 July, the crowd attacking the Bastille had broken into the outer courtyard but was making little headway against the garrison. Then a detachment of the Gardes Françaises arrived with two cannon and brought them to bear on the gates. Within hours the governor surrendered. Soldiers trained to guard the king had turned their guns for the people of Paris.

The officer stands at the front in a dark blue coat heavily laced in silver, with red waistcoat, breeches and stockings, holding his spontoon upright. Beside him the sergeant carries a partisan and the drummer, in royal livery lace, holds a blue drum painted with gold fleurs-de-lis. Five guards stand at attention behind them with muskets shouldered. They wear dark blue coats with red cuffs and turnbacks laced in white, buff belts and white gaiters. Lead The Garde Francaise with this command group. Brigade the whole regiment with Garde Suisse and the second Garde Suisse set for the king's household infantry.

Tradition of London set 660. Officer, sergeant with partisan, drummer and five guards, eight foot figures on square gloss bases. 54mm scale (approximately 1/30). All toy soldiers cast in quality white metal and individually hand-painted in gloss enamels. Packed in the Classic Tradition Red Box. Please allow 2–3 weeks for shipping.