Maison du Roi

It comprised the military, domestic, and religious entourage of the French royal family during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration.

Officers of the Maison du Roi were directly responsible to the Grand maître de France (Chief Steward).

The structure of the Maison du Roi was officially reorganized under Henry III in 1578 and 1585, and in the 17th century by Jean-Baptiste Colbert.

The military branch of the Maison du Roi was the French Army Lifeguard brigade, made up of cavalry and infantry units.

Officer rank was only open to gentlemen, though some of its units were drawn from elite troops among commoners in the rest of the army.

The Menus-Plaisirs du Roi was in charge of theater decor, costumes and props for plays, ballets and other court entertainments.

This ministry was directed by a secretary of state, the Secrétaire d'État à la Maison du Roi, although this oversight was purely formal, as the officers of the Maison du Roi were under the direct authority of the Grand maître de France (Chief Steward of France).