Editing Colour guard (section)

=== France ===
[[File:Republican Guard Bastille Day 2013 Paris t113201.jpg|thumb|A mounted French colour guard]]
A French colour guards typically includes one ensign holding the [[flag of France]] as the national colour, two non-commissioned officers assisting the ensign, and three enlisted personnel behind to guard the colour.

The colour guards of France's military academies tend to wear swords; those of NCO schools, other educational institutions and active units carry rifles instead. This design is used in other countries with Francophone populations.

French colour guards render honours on the command of [[present arms (command)|present arms]] (présentez arme). On command, the two NCOs and three enlisted will execute present arms, whether it be by presenting their sabre vertically or by putting the right hand over the handle of their weapon while the ensign lowers the national colour/unit colour somewhere close to their legs. On some occasions, the flag is not lowered unless the guard is in the presence of a dignitary (such as the [[President of the Republic]]) or a military leader (such as the [[Chief of the Defence Staff (France)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]).