Riding a horse may have been the most convenient way to move around Paris before the 19th century, but now I always wonder how these Gardes Républicains (Republic guardians) manage to do in the middle of such a busy city (I took this photo near Bastille, where they have their headquarters). And it's not only for the scenary; they actually still carry surveillance operations wherever neither cars nor motrobikes can go (like in the woods for instance). There are more than 500 of them in France (and about 200 near Bastille) and you can see them daily in the streets of Paris if you're lucky. Check their brand new website.
Saw them when in Paris, thought we went back in time!
ReplyDeleteWow, you were close enough to smell them!
Such a stately picture!
Mammie
Those are really fancy uniforms, complete with white gloves, that they wear. The horses look very well cared for. I'd love to see some of them sometime.
ReplyDeleteI watched the 14th of July parade (Bastille day). They were wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThey have great horses!
ReplyDeleteI"ve not seen these beautiful horses in Paris. Maybe one day........!
ReplyDeleteV
This is another photo that makes me feel like I can smell and feel the air and the fall feel of the Paris streets. Thanks, Eric!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of your post about the horse that escaped and went running.
ReplyDeletePetrea -- I was thinking the same thing. (I'm not trying to copy you—really! But it does seem as though we're often thinking alike here.) The horses are beautiful, Eric, and their tack is so nice and shiny—both obviously well cared for.
ReplyDeleteAlexa, you and I often think alike. We must meet one of these days, seeing as we live in the same country and everything.
ReplyDeleteThose horses are beautiful and also a beautiful color. I think that reddish color horse is called 'roan'?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Image and framing. Great story too.. Cheers Eric!
ReplyDeleteYes!!! Where can one see those "reprises" in Paris? I missed that :-(
ReplyDeleteWe have some policemen on horseback in my country too — in parks, outside football stadiums... They are always wonderful and seeing this photo is a great way to start the day.
You've really captured the majesty, strength and beauty of these noble creatures.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic photo, full of movement. I hope they lead quite a spoiled life.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, after seeing this, I think I'd like to be the lead horse.
I wonder the poor horses don't get freaked.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful animals. I love them.
ReplyDeleteEverything : their head, legs, general style they have. Their elegance.
Your photo pleases me a lot.
Thank you.
Petrea -- as you say! Maybe I'll make it to one of your SoCal get-togethers one day. Or better yet, we'll both make it to a PDP pique-nique!
ReplyDeleteET Suzy -- I noticed that too. :~}
Beautiful photo, beautiful tack, beautiful uniforms too. Joanna, their color is referred to as sorrel or some would call them chestnut. Roans generally have white hairs equally interspersed with the darker colored hairs. If these were roans they would be called strawberry roans or red roans, but there are also blue roans which have white hairs interspersed with dark brown or black hairs and they usually also have a little bit of red in there too! It's nice to see horses is Paris! Thanks for such a great variety of photos!! Valorie
ReplyDeletequite the bridle and bits on those horses! Woah. No wonder they behave well.
ReplyDeleteObtain and pick some good things from you and it aids me to solve a problem, thanks.
ReplyDelete- Henry