The Franks conquered the region after the fall of Rome .
The local Romance language speaking populations became integrated within the County of Provence , with a period of independence as a maritime republic ( 1108 -- 1176 ) .
The Franks conquered the region after the fall of Rome , and the local Romance language speaking populations became integrated within the County of Provence , with a period of independence as a maritime republic ( 1108 -- 1176 ) .