[3] Montoire-sur-le-Loir is known as the location where, on 24 October 1940, the famous handshake between Adolf Hitler and Philippe Pétain took place signifying the start of organised collaboration of Vichy France with the Nazi regime.

[4] This was announced to the French public on 30 October in a radio broadcast speech when Pétain declared, "I enter, today, into the way of collaboration.

Montoire was chosen because of its relative isolation and also its proximity to the main Paris-Hendaye train line, Hitler having met with Franco at Hendaye on the 23rd.

Besides, in case of an aerial attack, the train could have found shelter in the nearby tunnel in Saint-Rimay.

German command posts were established at Saint-Rimay and Thoré-la-Rochette with direct contact to Berlin.