Zone libre
The Milice initially operated in the former "Zone libre" of France under the control of the Vichy regime. In January 1944, the radicalized Milice moved into what had been the "zone occupée" of France (including Paris). They established their headquarters in the old Communist Party headquarters at 44 rue Le Peletier and at 61 rue Monceau. (The house was formerly owned by the Menier family, makers of France's best-known chocolates.) The Lycée Louis-Le-Grand was occupied as a barracks, and an officer candidate school was established in the Auteuil synagogue.