Macron takes on far-right presidential rival in visit to Vichy

President warns about manipulation' of history after Eric Zemmour claims Vichy regime protected French Jews from Nazis

Emmanuel Macron has warned against the manipulation" of history in a clear message to the far-right presidential candidate, Eric Zemmour, on a symbolic visit to Vichy.

After the German occupation in 1940, the spa town was chosen for Marshal Philippe Petain's puppet regime, which collaborated with the Nazis and ensured the deportation of Jews to death camps. Zemmour has angered historians by claiming, instead, that Petain saved French Jews.