Ok here is the question... what was the reason for the selection of the de facto capital as small (<50.000 inhabitants) towns? Was there any specific infrastructure or they just selected a rural spot to show how temperary the thing is?
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Vichy as a thermal town was strategically situated, with good railway connections to Paris, easy supplies within the Auvergne region and important hotels which could welcome a lot of officials. It had to be a town which was in the unoccupied zone, so it couldn't be a town around Paris, Bordeaux, Tours or Bourges. Clermont-Ferrand which also has railway infrastructure wasn't retained due to the lack of good hotels, the large amount of workers with the Michelin industries, a local paper hostile to the armistice and many Spanish refugees. It was also decided that other important cities wouldn't be picked since they had a progressive political tradition, hostile local mayors and a large population which could rise up against Pétain.
Note that historically Tours and then Bordeaux was the capital of France in 1870-1871, as well as in 1914 for the latter, so there was a historical precedent for the government relocating. In 1940 the government had also relocated to Tours and then Bordeaux, before ending up in Clermont-Ferrand when these two cities became occupied by the Germans and finally relocating to Vichy.
Note that historically Tours and then Bordeaux was the capital of France in 1870-1871, as well as in 1914 for the latter, so there was a historical precedent for the government relocating. In 1940 the government had also relocated to Tours and then Bordeaux, before ending up in Clermont-Ferrand when these two cities became occupied by the Germans and finally relocating to Vichy.
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In the case of Salò, I would reckon it was picked because it was safer.
When the RSI was established Italy was in a huge civil war, and partisan uprisings and partisan republics sprung up everywhere. I'd imagine Salò was deemed more easily defensible.
When the RSI was established Italy was in a huge civil war, and partisan uprisings and partisan republics sprung up everywhere. I'd imagine Salò was deemed more easily defensible.
Picking Vichy/Salo over more prominent cities like Marseilles/Milan was a clear signal that these were only temporary residencies, with promise to return to the real capital of Paris/Rome in future. Same logic was used then picking Bonn as the capital of West Germany over Frankfurt.
Thanks.
Ok, so tourist locations, with lots of accomodation, but few actual permanent residents is a good choice for government with questionable legitimacy.
Yes,
In the case of Vichy, everything explained by Loup is correct, but there was one last element : Laval was senator of the Puy-de-Dôme, which is just next door to Vichy.
And a my french friend say, can if Petain die, Laval are their successor or in a Vichy france or in a "pro axis france"
Depends when.
If he dies before the end of July 1940, I suppose the Parliament would appoint a new guy, most probably a pro-German military man (a "savior".
From July to December1940, Laval as per Acte Constitutionnel 4
From December 1940 to Febuary 1941, as per Acte Constitutionnel 4 Ter, it would be appointed by the Council of Minister so probably Darlan (hard to believe it would be Flandin)
From February 1941 to November 1942, as per Acte Constitutionnel 4 Quater, it is Darlan
And from November 1942 to the end, as per Acte Constitutionnel 4 Quinquies, it is Laval again.