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Dauphiné is a former province in southeastern France, roughly corresponding to the present départements of the Isère, Drôme, and Hautes-Alpes.
Origin of the name
Guy VIII, Count of Vienne, 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 sold his seigneurie, called the Dauphiné, to King Philippe VI on condition that the heir of France assume the title of le Dauphin.
Le Dauphiné Libéré is a famous regional French newspaper, and organises the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré cycle stage race.
See also: Dauphiné Alps