On the 18th of Brumaire of VIII year (November 9, 1799), as a result of the coup, the Directory was overthrown and the consuls headed by General Napoleon Bonaparte received all power. From the very first days, having concentrated all his power, he proceeded to create the Guard of Consuls (Garde des consuls).
On November 10, Bonaparte announced that the Guard of the Legislative Corps and the Guard of the Directory would henceforth be called the Consular Guard (more precisely, the Guard of Consuls (Garde des Consuls)). That was enshrined by decree of the 7th Fremer VIII year (November 28, 1799).
January 3, 1800 a decree was signed on the acquisition of two regiments.
Unlike the previous guards of the Directory, the personnel of which were manned not according to combat qualities, but according to external physical data, the new part was credited solely for the personal merits of the military man. From the very beginning, it was stated that "the guard represents a model of the army in operation." Candidates had to meet the following requirements: patriotic convictions, participation in at least three military campaigns, the presence of military injuries, growth of at least 178 centimeters, an age of at least 25 years, and literacy.
On November 10, Bonaparte announced that the Guard of the Legislative Corps and the Guard of the Directory would henceforth be called the Consular Guard (more precisely, the Guard of Consuls (Garde des Consuls)). That was enshrined by decree of the 7th Fremer VIII year (November 28, 1799).
January 3, 1800 a decree was signed on the acquisition of two regiments.
Unlike the previous guards of the Directory, the personnel of which were manned not according to combat qualities, but according to external physical data, the new part was credited solely for the personal merits of the military man. From the very beginning, it was stated that "the guard represents a model of the army in operation." Candidates had to meet the following requirements: patriotic convictions, participation in at least three military campaigns, the presence of military injuries, growth of at least 178 centimeters, an age of at least 25 years, and literacy.