History & Civilisation
Savoie was long part of the states of Savoy, though it was occupied many times by France starting in the 16th century. It was integrated into the Mont-Blanc department from 1792 to 1815, later being annexed by France in 1860. The former Duchy of Savoy became the two departments of Savoie and Haute-Savoie.
-
First occupied by France under the reign of Francis I of France in 1536, the Duchy of Savoy was given a parliament based in Chambéry. In 1559, the occupation ceased and parliament was replaced by a senate.
-
In 1601, following a 13 year conflict with France, Charles Emmanuel I of Savoy gave the territories of Bresse, Bugey, Valromey and Gex to Henry IV of France in exchange for the marquisate of Saluzzo.
-
A second French occupation in 1630 forced the Duke of Savoy to cede the fortress of Pinerolo to France (Treaty of Cherasco in 1631). Refusing an alliance with France, the Duchy of Savoy was again occupied from 1690 to 1696 and from 1703 to 1713.
-
At the end of the War of the Spanish Succession with the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, the Duke of Savoy regained his original possessions and received the Kingdom and the title of King of Sicily.
-
In 1720, after the War of the Quadruple Alliance, the Duke ceded Sicily to Austria receiving the Kingdom of Sardinia in exchange. From then on the dukes of Savoy where known as kings of Sardinia until 1861, when Savoy became the ruling house of Italy and the duchy was annexed by France.