Dauphiné

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dauphiné (archaic English: Dauphiny), usually referred to as the Dauphiné, is a former province in southeastern France, roughly corresponding to the present departments of the Isère, Drôme, and Hautes-Alpes. 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.

[edit] Origin of the name

Guy VIII 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 Humbert II of Viennois sold his seigneurie, called the Dauphiné, to King Philippe VI on condition that the heir of France assume the title of le Dauphin.

[edit] See also

• Dauphiné Alps
• Franco-Provençal language