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The Vichy regime (1940-1944)
The Vichy regime is led by Marshal Pétain from 10 July 1940. It begins after France's defeat by Germany.
Key points of the sheet
- The government settles in Vichy. It abolishes the Republic and collaborates with the Nazi occupier.
- Philippe Pétain is a hero of the First World War. He becomes head of the French State in 1940.
- The regime removes freedoms, for example freedom of the press and the right to vote. It persecutes opponents and minorities, in particular Jews.
- The regime imposes a hierarchical society, with conservative and authoritarian values. A large part of the population does not have full citizenship.
- The regime ends on 22 August 1944 with the Liberation. It left no positive contributions to the current system. After the Liberation, France strengthens the defence of fundamental rights and freedoms.
Words to know
- Vichy regime (régime de Vichy)
- It is the authoritarian regime led by Marshal Pétain from 10 July 1940.
- collaborationist (collaborationniste)
- The Vichy regime is collaborationist: it works with the Nazi occupier.
- Liberation (Libération)
- The Vichy regime ends with the Liberation, on 22 August 1944.
- full citizenship (pleine citoyenneté)
- Under Vichy, a large part of the population is excluded from full citizenship.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Who leads the Vichy regime?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui dirige le régime de Vichy ?
The Vichy regime is led by Marshal Pétain from 10 July 1940.
When does the Vichy regime end?
In French, the language of the exam: Quand le régime de Vichy prend-il fin ?
The Vichy regime ends on 22 August 1944 with the Liberation.
Who does the Vichy regime collaborate with?
In French, the language of the exam: Avec qui le régime de Vichy collabore-t-il ?
The Vichy government sets up a regime that collaborates with the Nazi occupier.
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More in this topic (Political regimes since 1789)
- Political regimes
- From the Merovingians to the Ancien Régime (5th-18th century)
- The Ancien Régime (until 1789)
Source
Sheet “Le régime de Vichy (1940-1944)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.