thumb|Marseille in 1754, by Vernet At the beginning of the 18th century, Provence suffered from the economic malaise of the end of the reign of Louis XIV. The Great Plague of Marseille struck the region between 1720 and 1722, beginning in Marseille, killing some 40,000 people. Still, by the end of the century, many artisanal industries began to flourish; making perfumes in Grasse; olive oil in Aix and the Alpilles; textiles in Orange, Avignon and Tarascon; and faience pottery in Marseille, Apt, Aubagne, and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Many immigrants arrived from Liguria and the Piedmont in Italy. By the end of the 18th century, Marseille had a population of 120,000 people, making it the third largest city in France.
thumb|Marseille in 1754 by Vernet At the beginning of the 18th century Provence suffered from the economic malaise of the end of the reign of Louis XIV The Great Plague of Marseille struck the region between 1720 and 1722 beginning in Marseille killing some 40000 people Still by the end of the century many artisanal industries began to flourish; making perfumes in Grasse; olive oil in Aix and the Alpilles; textiles in Orange Avignon and Tarascon; and faience pottery in Marseille Apt Aubagne and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie Many immigrants arrived from Liguria and the Piedmont in Italy By the end of the 18th century Marseille had a population of 120000 people making it the third largest city in France