France, April 8 -- French and British troops on Monday swapped roles and took part in an unprecedented changing of the guards ceremonies outside the palaces of each other's head of state to celebrate 120 years since the Entente Cordiale.

What was theEntente Cordiale?

The Entente Cordialewas a diplomatic agreement signed between the United Kingdom and France in 1904. It marked the end of centuries of intermittent conflict and competition between the two nations, particularly in colonial territories.

The agreement resolved various colonial disputes between France and Britain, mainly in Africa. It also paved the way for closer diplomatic and military cooperation between the two countries.

Although it was not a formal alliance, the Entent...