Following the armistice signed on 22 June 1940, the zone which was not occupied by the Germans took the name of the French State (État Français) (as opposed to the traditional name, République Française or French Republic) and set up its capital in Vichy on 1 July, because of the town's relative proximity to Paris (4.5 hours by train) and because it was the city with the second largest hotel capacity at the time.
Moreover, the existence of a modern telephone exchange made it possible to reach the whole world via phone.

On 1 July, the government took possession of many hotels.
Six hundred members of the French Parliament (Appointed Members and Senators) would come to Vichy for the meeting of the Chambers.
On 9 and 10 July, in the main auditorium of the Opera House, the members of Parliament voted for the end of the Third Republic.
The republican system was abolished, and the French State, with Philippe Pétain at its helm as Head of State, replaced it.
Only 80 of the 600 members of Parliament voiced their opposition.

Starting from this date, Vichy would be, for more than four years, the de facto capital of the French State.
 Paris was still the official capital, although the Vichy France government never operated from there.
 This government is often called the Vichy Regime.
 The term "Vichyste," which designates partisans of this regime, should not be confused with "Vichyssois" which designates the inhabitants of the city.
The latter term is sometimes used erroneously to designate Pétain's supporters.
Following the armistice signed on 22 June 1940, the zone which was not occupied by the Germans took the name of the French State (État Français) (as opposed to the traditional name, République Française or French Republic) and set up its capital in Vichy on 1 July, because of the town's relative proximity to Paris (4.5 hours by train) and because it was the city with the second largest hotel capacity at the time. Moreover, the existence of a modern telephone exchange made it possible to reach the whole world via phone.
On 1 July, the government took possession of many hotels. Six hundred members of the French Parliament (Appointed Members and Senators) would come to Vichy for the meeting of the Chambers. On 9 and 10 July, in the main auditorium of the Opera House, the members of Parliament voted for the end of the Third Republic. The republican system was abolished, and the French State, with Philippe Pétain at its helm as Head of State, replaced it. Only 80 of the 600 members of Parliament voiced their opposition.
Starting from this date, Vichy would be, for more than four years, the de facto capital of the French State.  Paris was still the official capital, although the Vichy France government never operated from there.  This government is often called the Vichy Regime.  The term "Vichyste," which designates partisans of this regime, should not be confused with "Vichyssois" which designates the inhabitants of the city. The latter term is sometimes used erroneously to designate Pétain's supporters.
Vichy