WI:Muslim Provence

I know there have been discussions before of the Battle of Tours going the other way, but the purpose of this thread is more general: what all PODs would enable the Caliphate to hold southern France for an extended period of time? I'm not necessarily talking permanently-I think a scenario where the Muslims took the southern half of France, and then France conducted a "reconquista" over the centuries, would be interesting as well, and is underdiscussed here.

Thoughts?
 
Isn't much of southern France flat land, Muslim rule wouldn't necessarily last too long before the Franks begin plans for reconquest.
 
Isn't much of southern France flat land, Muslim rule wouldn't necessarily last too long before the Franks begin plans for reconquest.

The Massif Central bisects the south into southwest and southeast parts, so Muslim Aquitaine is likelier than Muslim Provence.
 
The Massif Central bisects the south into southwest and southeast parts, so Muslim Aquitaine is likelier than Muslim Provence.

Not necessarily. Muslim presence in Spain was centered in the eastern part of the peninsula, the northwest was never fully conquered, so the pyrenean passes connecting to Aquitaine were less firmly under control if they even ever were. Provence could be supplied via Med.
 
Not necessarily. Muslim presence in Spain was centered in the eastern part of the peninsula, the northwest was never fully conquered, so the pyrenean passes connecting to Aquitaine were less firmly under control if they even ever were. Provence could be supplied via Med.

That makes sense. Marseille is France's second largest city, so I could see it continuing to flourish under Muslim rule.
 
It would almost certainly butterfly away the troubadors and the concept of courtly love, which would have pretty far reaching social consequences.
 
In the dark ages, the Muslims had some smaller fortresses in Provence and a large one at Fraxinetum. Their rule was reminiscent of the later barbary states: they operated a pirate kingdom from there from about 889-975, and regularly raided their Christian neighbors for slaves and hostages. The end came after they held a prominent abbot for ransom in 973. It was paid, but the local Christian nobles then raised an army, expelled the Muslims and destroyed the fortress.
 
In the dark ages, the Muslims had some smaller fortresses in Provence and a large one at Fraxinetum. Their rule was reminiscent of the later barbary states: they operated a pirate kingdom from there from about 889-975, and regularly raided their Christian neighbors for slaves and hostages. The end came after they held a prominent abbot for ransom in 973. It was paid, but the local Christian nobles then raised an army, expelled the Muslims and destroyed the fortress.

That'd be the one in the map above
 
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