In 1973 in the wake of the Munich massacre , the Gendarmerie created two tactical teams or " intervention units " : one named ECRI ( '' Équipe Commando Régionale d'intervention '' or Regional Commando Tactical Team ) was based in Maisons-Alfort near Paris and a second , named GIGN ( ) was created within the parachute squadron in Mont-de-Marsan . In 1974 , the two units were renamed respectively GIGN 1 and GIGN 4 . Then in 1976 , both units merged into a single one , named GIGN and based in Maisons-Alfort . GIGN moved to Satory near Versailles ( west of Paris ) in 1982
Munich massacre
Munich massacre
Parachute Intervention Squadron of the National Gendarmerie