The Occitan languages are a group of Romance languages spoken primarily in the southern regions of France, Italy, and Spain. They are part of the larger Gallo-Romance language family and include several dialects, such as Provençal, Gascon, and Languedocien. Occitan has a rich literary tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, with notable poets like Francesc Eiximenis and Guillaume IX. Although its use has declined over the years, efforts are being made to revive and promote the language in education and culture.