Several communes in today's Ain department of France derive their name from them, including: Ambérieu-en-Bugey, Ambérieux-en-Dombes, Ambutrix and Ambronay.
The village was known as Ambariacum in the 6th century and the land belonged to the castles of the first Burgundian kings.
The principality was confiscated by King Francis I of France in 1523, along with the other possessions of the Constable de Bourbon, was granted in 1527 to the queen-mother, Louise of Savoy, and after her death was held successively by kings Francis I, Henry II and Francis II, and by Catherine de' Medici.
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The southern portion was held in succession by the lords of Villars and of Thoire.
On the occasion of his marriage, the King of France returned the lands of Gilbert, Count of Montpensier, and the Counties of Forez, Beaujeu and Dombes to his mother.
He also worked to establish closer ties between the various Christian faiths, arranging meetings at La Trappe des Dombes and at Présinge.