In 1659, towards the end of the Franco-Spanish War, which had involved the Duchy of Savoy on the French side, Duke Charles Emmanuel II ordered that the best troops from Savoyard militia regiments should be transferred to regular regiments. On 18 April 1659 Duke Charles Emmanuel II ordered to form a Guards Regiment (), which would protect the Duke during battles. The Guards Regiment consisted of twelve companies of 100 men each, six of which were transferred from existing regiments, while the other six were newly formed.
