L'Occupation.

Source: http://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/occupation.html


L'occupation is the result of the defeat of France in the second world war in May 1940 - it is basically the division of France into two regions which were controlled by two separate groups - The French government ruled by Pétain and Reich. A line separates the north and south occupation zones.


The northern zone was colonized with Germans - this zone was known as annex of the Reich which includes lower Rhine and Moselle. The coastal edge is a forbidden zone (to prohibit people from entering the southern occupation?) - this resulted in the building of the Atlantic wall. 


The southern zone is known as le zone libre - the free zone -administered by the Vichy government - controlled by Pétain. Borders where controlled by armed Italian defences until November 1942 - Lead to a collaboration of state policy.


Throughout the period of occupation - the French government obeyed orders from Vichy. A military force was formed in January 1943 to help the Germans to hunt down the resistance and Jews. 


Jews were imprisoned in the concentration camps. French people were forced to work in French or German factories. In July 1941, the French state military cooperation created the legion of volunteers against Soviet communism.


Payment to the German occupation left France in major financial difficulties which resulted in shortages and rationing.  In August 1944, The Reich gradually diminishes and gives way for purification (becoming a better place.)


To summarize - L'occupation is the administration of France by Germany who occupied France during the second world war.