a former region of E France, covering the Jura and the low country east of the Saône: part of the Kingdom of Burgundy (6th century ad–1137); autonomous as the Free County of Burgundy (1137–1384); under Burgundian rule again (1384–1477) and Hapsburg rule (1493–1674); annexed by France (1678)
Franche-Comté in American English
(fʀɑ̃ʃ kɔ̃̃ˈteɪ)
1.
historical region of E France, on the border of Switzerland
2.
metropolitan region of modern France, in the same general area: 6,256 sq mi (16,203 sq km); pop. 1,097,000; chief city, Besançon