Worse, many of these fighters were essentially freebooters, more interested in larceny or brigandage than in actually defending France.

In 1814, while defending France the chevaulegers and scouts took part in nearly every battle of the period.

It was built between 1843 and the early 20th century to defend France against invasion from Italy and Savoy.

After Napoleon ordered many of his troops away to defend eastern France, Suchet had only 17,000 men left in his field army.

It was built between 1885 and 1888 to defend France against invasion from Italy.

Montmorency spent the next three years defending northern France against the English invasion of 1523.

As Napoleon drained Suchet's strength away in order to defend eastern France, the marshal was left with only 17,000 soldiers.

It was along that stretch that General Michel had planned to defend France.

The French government further stated that Reding had made an "unseemly blunder" and defended France as "the mother of human rights."

The two leading presidential candidates are promising to defend - not to change - France.