Mont-Blanc (department)

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Mont-Blanc (French: [mɔ̃ blɑ̃]) was a department of the First French Empire. It was named after Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe, which marks the border between France and Piedmont. It was formed in 1792, when the Savoy region (part of the Kingdom of Sardinia) was occupied by the French. The department ceased to exist following Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo; the territory was restored to its former rulers. Its prefecture was Chambéry.

On 17 February 1800, five cantons (Chamonix, Saint-Gervais, Megève, Flumet and Sallanches) including the Mont Blanc were transferred to the neighbouring Léman department. This meant that although the Mont-Blanc department kept its name, its namesake fell outside its territory. A similar situation exists nowadays with the Var department in Southern France.