Provence

Historical and cultural region encompassing the southeastern French départements of Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and Var. It is roughly coextensive with the former province of Provence and with the present-day region of Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur. It was an important region for the Roman Empire; when the Roman Empire declined, the region was invaded by Visigoths, Burgundians, Ostrogoths, and Franks. It was part of Lothar I's realm in 843; it passed to Charles of Anjou as dowry in 1246; ruled by Angevins until 1481; ruled by Louis XI 1481. Invaded repeatedly 1524, 1536, 1704, and 1746 by rival French royalty.