Ancient province of France, comprising the
modern departements of Isere, Drome, and
Hautes-Alpes. After the collapse of the Roman
Empire it belonged to Burgundy, then was
under Frankish domination. Afterwards part of
Arles, it was sold by its ruler to France in
1349 and thereafter was used as the personal
fief of the heir to the throne (the dauphin)
until 1560, when it was absorbed into the
French kingdom. The capital was Grenoble.