Vieux Grenadiers
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The Vieux Grenadiers during an official ceremony | |
| Formation | October 1749 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Website | https://www.vieuxgrenadiers.ch/ |
The Société des Vieux Grenadiers (French: Society of the Old Grenadiers) is a Geneva-based society founded in 1749.[1]
The group takes its name from the grenadiers, a local militia founded in 1686 and disbanded in 1747 for acts of rebellion.[1] While initially simply called Cercle des Grenadiers, the group adopted its current denomination to distinguish itself from another grenadier society that, between 1821 and 1823, only accepted younger members.[2]
The first uniforms appeared in 1896 only, during the Swiss National Exposition taking place in the city.[1] From then on, the Vieux Grenadiers have been a regular feature of local ceremonies and commemorations.
Society membership is exclusively male. Its official motto is Homeland, Family, Friendship.[3]