Provence

Provence is a former province and is now a region of southeastern France, located on the Mediterranean Sea adjacent to France's border with Italy. It is noted for its cuisine, some of its wines, and its perfumes.

The major perfume-making region of Grasse is located near Nice.

Much rosé wine is produced under the Côtes de Provence appellation, using some of the typical grapes of southern France, Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Cinsault. It is often at its best young.

The Principality of Monaco is nestled between Nice and Italy. Marseille is the other major city of note in Provence.

The name of the region comes from Latin provincia, as this was one of the first and most romanised provinces of the Roman Empire.

Provençal is the adjective used to describe things originating from this region, as well as being the name of the local Romance language. Provençal is a dialect of Occitan, and is not mutually intelligible with either Parisian French or standard Italian. Instead, it is part of the Romance languages' dialect continuum that stretches from Italy to Portugal.

It is now part of the administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Cote-d'Azur.

See also: Herbes de Provence, Counts of Provence