Bread in Europe palatable. Traditional rustic breads include "sfilatino imbottito" (a stuffed bread roll) and "pizza bianca" (a flat white bread). "Focaccia" is quite popular in Italy and southern France. In Provence, it is known as "fougasse" or "fouace", with the former becoming increasingly common. Fougasse can now be bought all over France. It is usually seasoned with olive oil and herbs, and often either topped with cheese or stuffed with meat or vegetables. Focaccia doughs are similar in style and texture to pizza doughs. "Pane in cassetta" and "pan carré" are low grade factory produced convenience foods sold in all Italian supermarkets.
History of Provence Roman Emperor Justinian ceded all of Provence to the Merovingian kings. The Merovingians were the first northern European rulers to govern Provence. They had their capitals in Soissons, Metz, Paris, Orléans, and Reims, and rarely visited the south. After 561, Provence was split between two distant Merovingian kings; Sigebert I, the king of Austrasia, ruled Marseille, Aix and Avignon, while Guntram, the King of Burgundy, ruled the eastern part of Provence. The second half of the 6th century was a terrible time for Provence; the region suffered continual conflicts between the two kings, attacks by Lombards and Saxon raiders, and