Dauphiné

The Dauphiné, also known as Dauphiny, was a historical province in southeastern France during the Ancien Régime, roughly corresponding to the modern departments of Isère, Drôme, and Hautes-Alpes. Originally a state within the Holy Roman Empire, it was founded in 1349 when it was transferred to the future King Charles V of France. The region's name originated in the 12th century from Count Guigues IV of Albon, who bore a dolphin on his coat of arms and was nicknamed "le Dauphin." His descendants adopted the title Dauphin of Viennois. The Dauphiné retained significant autonomy and tax exemptions until 1457, remaining a province until its dissolution in 1790 during the French Revolution. Its historical capital was Grenoble.