Which Swiss regiment supplied grenadiers to the Bastille garrison in July 1789?

The Salis-Samade Regiment supplied the Swiss grenadiers sent to reinforce the Bastille garrison in July 1789. Thirty-two grenadiers from this regiment arrived at the fortress on 7 July, one week before the storming.

The regiment belonged to the Swiss units serving the French monarchy. Foreign regiments were considered comparatively reliable by royal commanders during the political crisis because they were less closely tied to Parisian communities and were thought less likely to sympathize with revolutionary crowds.

At the Bastille, the Swiss grenadiers joined 82 Invalides, veteran soldiers who made up the regular garrison. The fortress also had artillery and stored roughly 250 barrels of gunpowder, making it strategically important even though only seven prisoners remained inside.

The regiment’s soldiers were later mistaken by some attackers for prisoners because they were not wearing their uniform coats. French Guards and other soldiers helped escort surviving members away after the fortress surrendered.