The parades of the king of barricades. The reviews of the French National Guard in Paris, 1830-1840

The garde nationale de la Seine was spontaneously re-formed during the July 1830 uprising; from August 29, 1830 onwards, it was passed in review by the king at the Champ de Mars, in front of the Parisian crowd. Fifteen times from 1830 to 1840, variable but significant forces of the garde nationale were convened under arms and in uniform to parade in front of the king and the citizens. In 1830, the young monarchy was using the garde's review as a means to have its novelty understood, its political originality represented and its popular legitimacy reinstated But as soon as 1832, when enthusiasm was giving way to disappointment and riots, the opposition tried to make itself heard during the review. Thus the ceremony was becoming dangerous for the regime, and was definitely abandoned after seditious cries were shouted by the legions when the Emperor's ashes were brought back in December 1840. All along their history, the reviews best characterised the regime in its principles, representations and evolution.