Vichy France, Historical country in Vichy, France
Vichy France was the government that operated from this city between 1940 and 1944 after France signed an armistice with Nazi Germany. The territory was divided into a northern occupied zone under German control and a southern zone governed from here.
After the German occupation, the National Assembly granted Marshal Pétain full power on July 10, 1940 and established the new French State. This decision created a new form of rule that differed sharply from the previous system.
The government replaced the national motto with 'Work, Family, Fatherland' and controlled media and education strictly. These changes shaped how people communicated and what they saw in public life.
Visitors can focus on the historical sites where the administration once operated and key decisions were made. The history is best understood by visiting the buildings and monuments that recall this period.
The state maintained a professional army of about 100,000 soldiers at home and around 450,000 troops across French colonies during its time. This military force was striking given the limited independence under German oversight.
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