Belgian Government in Exile

Date: October 22, 1940 • Location: El Pardo, Spain

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1940–1944.

After evading Vichy French and Francoist Spanish authorities, Belgian prime minister Hubert Pierlot arrived in London, marking the beginning of the Belgian government in exile.

Vichy France, also known as the Pétainist regime and Pétainist France, officially the French State, was a French rump state headed by Marshal Philippe Pétain during World War II, established as a result of German victory in the Battle of France. It was named after its seat of government, the city of Vichy.