Vichy France, or the Vichy Government, was a period of government in France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944 in World War II. It was based in the town of Vichy in central France and was headed by Marshal Philippe Pétain. While the northern zone of France was occupied by Germany, the southern part was a "free zone", where Vichy was more powerful. After the war many of Vichy's leaders were branded as traitors to France, leading to executions and prison sentences.