The Old Guard (French Vieille Garde) were the elite veteran elements of the Emperor Napoleon's Imperial Guard. As such it was the most prestigious formation in Napoleon's Grande Armée. French soldiers often referred to Napoleon's Imperial Guard as "the Immortals."The Old Guard was formed of veteran soldiers who had served Napoleon since his earliest campaigns.It is believed that Napoleon hand-selected members of his Old Guard based on physical traits, most notably above-average height.