Imperial Guard (Napoleon III)
The Imperial Guard of Napoleon III was a military corps in the French Army formed by Napoleon III as a re-establishment of his uncle Napoleon I's Imperial Guard, with an updated version of the original uniforms and almost the same privileges.
Grenadier of the Imperial Guard of Napoleon III
A Guard Carabinier (Carabinier de la Garde), part of the heavy brigade of the Guard Cavalry Division.
Uniform of the Mounted Guides of the Guard (guides a' cheval de la Garde) c1860, displayed in the Musée de l'Armée Paris
Guard Zouaves (Zouaves de la Garde) during the Second Italian War of Independence in 1859.
Imperial Guard (Napoleon I)
The Imperial Guard was originally a group of elite soldiers of the French Army under the direct command of Napoleon I, but grew considerably over time. It acted as his bodyguard and tactical reserve, and he was careful of its use in battle. The Guard was divided into the staff, infantry, cavalry, and artillery regiments, as well as battalions of sappers and marines. The guard itself as a whole distinguished between the experienced veterans and less experienced members by being separated into three sections: the Old Guard, Middle Guard and Young Guard. The Young Guard was virtually annihilated in the Battle of Krasnoi during the French invasion of Russia.
Grenadier of the Old Guard in 1813
Memorial to the gunners of the Imperial Guard Artillery
Officer belt buckle
Grenadier of the 3e Régiment de Grenadiers-à-Pied de la Garde Imperiale