DAUPHINé

'Dauphiné' (Occitan : '''Daufinat''', Arpitan : '''Dôfenâ''', archaic ), usually referred to as ''the'' Dauphiné, is a former province in southeastern France, roughly corresponding to the present ''departments'' of the Isère ('''Isera'''), Drôme ('''Drôma'''), and Hautes-Alpes ('''Hiôtas-Arpes'''). The historical capital is Grenoble and the main towns Vienne, Valence, Die, Gap and Briançon.
''Le Dauphiné Libéré'' is a famous regional French newspaper, and organizes the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré cycle stage race.

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History

See also

History

The area of the future Dauphiné was occupied by Allobroges and other Gaul tribes in ancient times.
After the end of the Western Roman Empire, it slowly acquired independence as a mountain principate within the Holy Roman Empire.
Guy IV of Viennois, had a dolphin on his coat of arms and had been nicknamed ''le Dauphin'' (French for ''dolphin''). This title descended in his family until 1349, when the heirless Humbert II of Viennois sold his lordship to King Philippe VI. From that time until the revolution, the heir to the throne could assume the title of ''le Dauphin'' and appanage on the region, as long as he was also a descendant of the current King.
During World War II, it was the seat of strong partisan activity.

See also

★ Dauphiné Alps

★ Arpitan language