In the 1940s, life in small French villages was marked by World War II and its consequences. The German Occupation disrupted the daily lives of the inhabitants, bringing restrictions, rationing, and the presence of enemy soldiers in some regions. The Resistance organized itself in secret, forming networks to support the maquisards hiding in the countryside.
The village economy was severely tested. Agriculture remained essential, but German requisitions made life difficult. Villagers often had to rely on ration tickets, trading farm products for basic necessities. Mutual aid and solidarity were crucial for survival in these troubled times.
Village society was under close surveillance. The fear of denunciations and arrests was omnipresent, with some inhabitants collaborating with the occupiers while others joined the Resistance. Children continued to attend school, though education was sometimes influenced by Vichy regime propaganda.
Leisure activities were rare, limited by censorship and fear. Village festivals were often canceled or discreetly maintained. Evening gatherings provided moments of comfort, where people shared news and hopes for the war's end.
Transportation was limited due to a lack of fuel and vehicles. Bicycles and carts remained the primary means of travel. The railway was under German control and often used for deportations, increasing tension and distrust among the villagers.
After the Liberation in 1944, villages gradually returned to a more normal life, though still marked by periods of deprivation and reprisals between resistants and collaborators. Moral and economic reconstruction became a priority, as people aspired to a better future after so many years of suffering.
