Stamps of France

Stamps of France

Metropolitan France

Vichy France - Zone Occupée - Zone Libre - Zone Nord - Zone Sud

French Second Republic 2nd December 1852 - 1870

French Third Republic

(4th September 1870 - 10th July 1940)

Vichy France - The French State

(Vichy France - 10th July 1940 - 9th August 1944)

Notes: Following the armistice of 22nd June 1940 a demarcation line divided France. To the north and west French land was occupied and largely administered by the German army of occupation. To the south, Zone Libre, the French government had relocated from Paris to Vichy.

Case Anton - the occupation of Vichy France (Zone Libre) by German and Italian troops between 10th - 27th November 1942. Following Case Anton, the north and west of France (Zone Occupée) was renamed Zone Nord. The south (Zone Libre) was renamed Zone Sud.

The Italian army administered small areas of south-eastern France following the French surrender in 1940. These areas were increased following Case Anton. It is to be noted that the largest town in the initial area of control was Menton. Field post usage from the town during the period of occupation is lesser seen.

With the Italian surrender on 8th September 1943 the German army continued in administering these areas.

From Wikipedia (2025): The area of south-east France actually occupied by the Italians has been disputed. A study of the postal history of the region has cast new light on the part of France controlled by the Italians and the Germans (Trapnell, 2014). By studying mail that had been censored by the occupying power, this study showed that the Italians occupied the eastern part up to a 'line' joining Toulon - Gap - Grenoble - Chambéry - Annecy - Geneva. Places occupied by the Italians west of this were few or transitory.

See 20.07.1943 (4 Franc Blue)

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