Occupation

Looking back on France's Vichy regime, Hitler's willing collaborators

France — Link

On the 80th anniversary of the date when the notorious Vichy regime took power in German-occupied France, Jim Wolfreys, a senior lecturer in French and European politics at Kings College London, analyses the reactionary currents in French politics and society it drew upon, and its legacy.

The fearless, peerless French lawyer who chronicled the Nazi Occupation

Culture et idées

Maurice Garçon was a celebrated lawyer, essayist, novelist, gifted amateur artist and historian who was ultimately elected to the illustrious Académie Française. But Garçon also kept a diary during World War II, including France's Occupation by the Nazis. This recently-published journal reveals an apolitical, solitary, contradictory man who loathed Hitler and the collaborationist Vichy regime in France, but who also disdained Charles de Gaulle and who remained fiercely independent in his views throughout the duration of the conflict. Here Mediapart's Antoine Perraud examines the revealing insights of this eccentric but perceptive character into how French society coped with one of the bleakest episodes in the country's history.

Dozens storm Vatican embassy in protest over homeless immigrants

International — Link

Protestors briefly occupy the Vatican embassy in Paris in support of a group of homeless, hunger-striking illegal immigrants demanding legal status.

Unilever workers keep tea plant fight on the boil

France — Link

Fralib, a plant making teas and infusions near Marseille which Unilever wants to close, has become a focus for union battles against downsizing.

Hollande Vél d'Hiv commemoration 'important step toward addressing anti-Semitism'

International — Link

President Hollande's commemoration of 1942 Vél d'Hiv roundup of Jews was important for addressing European anti-Semitism, argues Denis MacShane.

Hollande recognises WWII roundup of Jews in occupied Paris as a 'French crime'

International — Link

President Hollande has recognised France’s role in the Holocaust at a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of a round-up of 13,000 Jews in Paris.