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TouchScreenTravels

Our Touch, your Travels…

This is a preview of the full content of our Provence’s Best app.

Please consider downloading this app to support small independent publishing and because:

  • All content is designed for mobile devices and works best there.
  • Detailed in-app maps will help you find sites using your device’s GPS.
  • The app works offline (one time upgrade required on Android versions).

The app will also allow you to:

  • Add custom locations to the app map (your hotel…).
  • Create your own list of favourites as you browse.
  • Search the entire contents using a fast and simple text-search tool.
  • Make one-click phone calls (on phones).
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Nissart

The ancient language of Nice

The Oc language is the old language of southern France, Catalonia, Monaco, parts of Liguria and Piedmont in Italy. Called Occitan, it has several dialects including Provençal, Catalan and Nissart (or Niçard), influenced by Italian and sometimes called Nizzardo.

Derived from Vulgar Latin, Oc is the southern French word for ‘yes’. Consequently the southern French Region took the name Languedoc. Interestingly, the French word for ‘yes’ is Oui and French used to be referred to as the ‘Langue d’Oui’. Originally it was spoken only in Northern France.

During the Middle Ages the Northern French gradually took control of the south. As a result, the ‘Langue d’Oui’ became the official tongue of the whole country. The County of Nice was not French until 1860, however, and up till then was subject to Italian influences rather than French ones.

The revival of Oc

Read the full content in the app
iOS App Store Google Play

Art & Culture

Text © Paul Shawcross

Image by © Paul Shawcross