Local “Stamps of the Liberation” were issued in 1944–45 as French towns were freed from occupation. Cut off from the central administration, many post offices reused existing Vichy-era stamps, overprinting them with “R.F.”, dates, patriotic symbols, or local inscriptions (such as Nice – Front National).
Most issues were produced quickly and often for symbolic or propaganda purposes rather than real postal need, resulting in many varieties. Only a small number were later validated by the national postal authorities.
