Who was the king of Versailles?
Louis XIV, king of France (1643–1715), ruled his country, principally from his great palace at Versailles, during one of the country’s most brilliant periods. Today he remains the symbol of absolute monarchy of the classical age. How old was Louis XIV when he acceded to the throne?
How did Louis XIV wife die?
Without any political influence in the French court or government (except briefly in 1672, when she was named regent during her husband's absence during the Franco-Dutch War), she died at the early age of 44 from complications from an abscess on her arm.
Which King built the Palace of Versailles?
The Palace of Versailles is the largest palace in the world and it was built by Louis XIV, King of France, also known as the Sun King. The origins of the Palace of Versailles date back to 1623, when Louis XIII decided to build a hunting lodge on the Marly estate.
Who was the Firs King in Versaille Castle?
The original residence was primarily a hunting lodge and private retreat for Louis XIII (reigned 1610–43) and his family. In 1624 the king entrusted Jacques Lemercier with the construction of a château on the site. Its walls are preserved today as the exterior facade overlooking the Marble Court.
What king is Versailles based on?
What is Louis XIV known for? Louis XIV, king of France (1643–1715), ruled his country, principally from his great palace at Versailles, during one of the country's most brilliant periods. Today he remains the symbol of absolute monarchy of the classical age.
What is the story behind Versailles?
The Palace of Versailles has been listed as a World Heritage Site for 40 years and is one of the greatest achievements in French 17th century art. Louis XIII's old hunting pavilion was transformed and extended by his son, Louis XIV, when he installed the Court and government there in 1682.
Was King Louis XIV a good king?
Louis XIV's reign was important in French history not just because it lasted so long but because he was a strong-willed ruler who was determined to make his subjects obey him and to make his kingdom the predominant power in Europe.
Is Versailles based on a true story?
In the case of Versailles, it's a series grounded in broader historical truths, but one in which chronology has been manipulated and key characters invented so as to produce a stronger narrative. When events are debated by historians, it understandably dramatises the raciest interpretation of those contested events.
Who lives at Versailles now?
the French state21st century The Palace of Versailles is currently owned by the French state. Its formal title is the Public Establishment of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles.
Why was Versailles not destroyed?
Following the French Revolution, the complex was nearly destroyed. With the exception of improvements to the Trianons, Napoleon largely neglected Versailles, and Louis XVIII and Charles X merely kept it up. Louis-Philippe, however, made great alterations, partly with help from patrons in the United States.
Who was the nicest king in history?
So, even nice emperors can leave nasty ones behind.Æthelstan (king of England, 925–939)Henry VI (king of England, 1422–61; 1470–71)Charles I (king of England and Scotland, 1625–49)George III (king of Great Britain, 1760–1820)Louis XVI (king of France, 1774–92)Frederick III (German emperor, 1888)More items...•
Who was the nicest king of France?
Louis IX (1214-1270): A very popular king, Louis IX was known for his kindness, moral integrity and keen sense of justice, so much so that he was considered already a saint during his lifetime.
Why was king Louis so unpopular?
King Louis XVI of France His failure to successfully address serious fiscal problems would dog him for most of his reign. Louis lacked sufficient strength of character and decisiveness to combat the influence of court factions or give support to reformers in their efforts to improve France's government.
Why did Netflix cancel Versailles?
It was rumoured that the show was cancelled because of the decreasing number of viewers. The show also received attention and some criticism from fans for its raunchy sex scenes.
Why were children not raised at Versailles?
The daughters of Louis XV all bore the honorific title of 'Madame'. There were eight princesses, not all of whom were raised at Versailles because their education was considered too expensive.
What happened to Versailles after Louis death?
Following the death of Louis XIV in September 1715, the court abandoned Versailles for Vincennes and transplanted itself briefly to Paris the following December.
Who built Versailles and why?
Louis XIV ruled France for 72 years, and in that time transformed Versailles by encompassing Louis XIII's chateau with a palace that contained north and south wings, as well as nearby buildings housing ministries. Versailles was built to impress.
Why did Versailles get Cancelled?
It was rumoured that the show was cancelled because of the decreasing number of viewers. The show also received attention and some criticism from fans for its raunchy sex scenes.
Why is Versailles so important?
The Palace of Versailles found itself at the very heart of the revolution. Built to act as the official residence of the French monarchy during the reign of Louis XIV, the Palace still held this status under Louis XVI. The collections of the Palace of Versailles bear witness to this defining period in French history.
Who built Versailles What King and why?
Louis XIV built the extravagant Palace of Versailles In 1682, Louis XIV officially moved his court to the lavish palace at Versailles, 13 miles outside of Paris. Europe's grandest palace became a center of political power and a symbol of the king's dominance and wealth.
Who was the ruler of Versailles?
The reign of Louis XIV. The history of Versailles is inextricably linked with the figure of Louis XIV. Although the location existed for centuries before the sovereign, Louis XIV developed a genuine liking for Versailles early on, and decided to extend it beyond the chateau that had grown out of the hunting lodge of brick ...
What happened to Versailles after Louis XIV died?
Following the death of Louis XIV in September 1715, the court abandoned Versailles for Vincennes and transplanted itself briefly to Paris the following December. Versailles entered a long period of neglect. The Governor of the estate ensured that the Grandes Eaux Fountain Display was activated every fortnight to keep it in working order. The Palace was merely a source of curiosity, and Tsar Peter the Great visited twice between May and June 1717. It was not until 15 June 1722 that, at his own request, the young Louis XV returned to Versailles. His first concern was to complete the work of his great-grandfather, but he also set out to create more intimate and private spaces in which to perfect his knowledge. His timidity led him to increase the number of small chambers in which he felt more at ease than in the grand public spaces created by Louis XIV. Although respectful of the place, Louis XV did not live exclusively in Versailles but often resided at Fontainebleau, Marly and Compiègne, as well as in palaces further away from the seat of power, such as Choisy, La Muette, Saint-Hubert and Bellevue.
Why did Versailles close?
The beginning of the 20th century was marked by the First World War, and Versailles also suffered during this conflict which forced the Palace to close and its works to be protected. But, like Paris, Versailles was not invaded and, all in all, life continued. Even though at a slower rhythm, the museum collections grew and visitors arrived, though fewer than before. The Palace spent the war years mobilising support for the national effort and assisting the wounded and the families of soldiers as much as possible. When it was chosen for the signing of the peace treaty in 1919, Versailles once again became the centre of the world's attention. Recalling the humiliation of 1871, the Allies had the Germans sign in the same place where the German Empire had been declared... Despite this resurgence of attention, the Palace suffered a lack of maintenance for several years, due to a crippling shortage of money to renovate it, and it began to show its age. Salvation came from across the Atlantic in the person of the billionaire John D. Rockefeller, who made two enormous donations to the Palace for its restoration. Recalling the involvement of France in the American War of Independence, the wealthy businessman inaugurated a custom of philanthropy and patronage that became indispensable for the proper functioning of the site.
What was Louis XIV's main residence?
From 1682 it became the main residence of the French Court and government. Louis XIV moved not only the aristocracy to Versailles, but also the main body of administration. Here, he was primus inter pares amongst the prominent figures of the time, who would spend fortunes on any chance to maintain their position, and who could manage all his policies. King Louis XIV, who loved the outdoors and open spaces, saw much to benefit from in carrying out construction work here and made his palace an expression of power and authority, knowing that glory was conveyed not only by war but also by buildings. The location played host to prestigious ceremonies, such as the reception of grand ambassadors in the Hall of Mirrors , the Doge of Genoa in 1685, the ambassadors of Siam in 1686, and the embassy of Persia in 1715. Likewise, it was in Versailles in November 1700 where he accepted the will of Charles II of Spain, which named his second grandson as king of Spain.
What was the purpose of the two palaces in Versailles?
These two small palaces, whose architectural style was neither distinctive nor particularly fashionable, were royal residences of leisure. Despite this seemingly humble role, it was here that the Day of the Dupes, a major event in the history of the French crown, culminated in November 1630. The king rarely invited guests here and, although the second palace contained apartments for the queen, Anne of Austria never slept in theme because her husband, the king, always ensured she had transport back to Saint-Germain or Paris... Besides the pleasures of hunting, Versailles also constituted a location to retreat to, where the king would come in search of solitude, notably after his relationship with his platonic mistress, Mlle de La Fayette, ended in 1637.
Why did Napoleon use the Palace?
The refurbishment continued after his departure, and Napoleon III went on to use the Palace as a venue for celebrations and to represent his power.
Why was the Seine et Oise not deserted?
In any case, it was not totally deserted because in 1793 it was designated as a Public Repository, i.e. a place for storing and sorting all items confiscated in the Department of Seine et Oise, whether from migrants, convicts or religious institutions. It was on the basis of these seizures and whatever had not yet left the palace that the project was launched in 1794 to establish a museum, which, after a somewhat chaotic installation period, opened in 1796.
How to take part in the history of the Palace of Versailles?
Take part in the history of the palace of Versailles by supporting a project that suits you: adopt a linden tree, contribute to the missions of the Palace or participate in the refurnishing of the royal apartments.
When did Louis XIV move to Versailles?
The royal court was formally transferred to Versailles in 1682.
What were the rules of Versailles?
At Versailles, Louis XIV strictly imposed courtly etiquette, the corpus of tacit rules by which noble courtiers were expected to abide, passed down since the reign of Henri III. Each day at court was strictly codified, as Madame Palatine explains in a letter to her aunt Sophie from 1676: " First I went to Versailles, where we were kept busy all day. We hunted from morning until three in the afternoon; upon returning from the hunt we changed clothes and went up to play, remaining there until seven in the evening; then we went to the theatre, which did not finish until half past ten; after the theatre we took supper; after supper it was time for the ball, which went on until three in the morning, and only then did we retire to bed. ” (Letter from Madame Palatine to her aunt Sophie, 14 December 1676).
How old was Louis XIV when he decided to govern alone?
On 10 March 1661, the day after the death of Cardinal Mazarin, the 23-year-old Louis XIV announced that he would henceforth govern alone, with no first minister. He surrounded himself with men selected not for their high birth, but instead for their abilities and loyalty, men such as the Marquis de Louvois and Jean-Baptiste Colbert.
What was the name of the palace that Louis XIV took his promenade on?
By that time the Palace had become a miniature city, a sparkling symbol of the absolute monarchy. Louis XIV takes his promenade on the North Lawn, c. 1688 (Etienne Allegrain) Le lien vers le site collection.
What was Louis XIV's motto?
From the Palace of Versailles, Louis XIV ruled over a centralised state centred upon his own royal person. His motto "Nec pluribus impar" translates roughly as par "like no other," a choice he explained in his Mémoires.
What was Louis XIV's centralization of power?
Louis XIV’s centralisation of power saw the creation of a new category of royal officer, the intendants, who were dispatched to the provinces with the task of steering the kingdom’s economic development . From the Palace of Versailles, Louis XIV ruled over a centralised state centred upon his own royal person.
Why was Versailles important to Louis XIV?
Located away from the city of Paris, as if he wanted to protect the monarchy from the quivers and the conspiracies of the capital, the stunning palace is a symbol of power. Louis XIV gathered around him the most important figures of the kingdom. Princes, courtiers and ministers lived in Versailles with him. Everything about the palace is one-of-a-kind.
What is the significance of the Palace of Versailles?
It is also rated as an UNESCO World Heritage. Started as being a simple and modest hunting accomodation until Louis XIV was nominated King and decided Versailles would be a potential place to build a palace.
What castles in France didn't have a river?
Versailles was one of the few castles in France that wasn’t located near a river. For a King that wanted hundreds of fountains to be set up, this was a big issue. For his dream to come true, artificials ponds were created. They built aerial and underground aqueducts to supply water for the Palace.
Why was Versailles built?
The construction of the palace was a representation of his great wealth and power. Versailles resisted until the French Revolution (1789 – 1799), being not only famous for its strategic place but also as a symbol of the absolute Monarchy system. In 1837, after the French Revolution, Versailles became a museum.
What was the challenge of the construction of the Palace of Versailles?
It was one of the most innovative and contemporary projects. For a project of this dimension, the workers had to adapt the technical and scientific tools.
How many marbles were forwarded to Versailles?
To illustrate the grandeur of France, workers had to work day and night. About fifty different marbles were forwarded to Versailles, but this was a real challenge.
Why was the King's palace not fit for construction?
For the project to happen, there was a need of restructuring the whole area. Earthwork and levelling were essential for the construction to begin.
Storyline
In the wake of the Fronde in 1667, the French nobility have begun to defy and disobey the monarchy. Young King Louis XIV decides to move the court from the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye near Paris to his father's former hunting lodge near the hamlet of Versailles as a means to force their submission.
Did you know
As of 2015, this is the most expensive television show ever produced in France.
What is Louis XIV known for?
Today he remains the symbol of absolute monarchy of the classical age.
What was Louis the Great's love for Mazarin's niece?
In 1658 Louis faced the great conflict between love and duty, a familiar one for princes of that period. He struggled with himself for two years over his love for Mazarin’s niece, Marie Mancini.
How old was Louis XIV when he acceded to the throne?
Louis XIV succeeded his father as king of France on May 14, 1643, at the age of four years eight months . According to the laws of the kingdom, he became not only the master but the owner of the bodies and property of 19 million subjects.
How old was Louis XIV when he became king?
Louis XIV succeeded his father as king of France on May 14, 1643, at the age of four years eight months. According to the laws of the kingdom, he became not only the master but the owner of the bodies and property of 19 million subjects.
Why did Louis XIV marry Marie-Thérèse?
He finally submitted to the exigencies of politics and in 1660 married Marie-Thérèse of Austria, daughter of King Philip IV of Spain, in order to ratify peace between their two countries. The childhood of Louis XIV was at an end, but no one believed him capable of seizing the reins of power.
Who was the king of France in 1653?
In 1653 Mazarin was victorious over the rebels and then proceeded to construct an extraordinary administrative apparatus with Louis as his pupil. The young king also acquired Mazarin ’s partiality for the arts, elegance, and display.
Who backed Louis XIV?
He was backed up first by the great ministers Jean-Baptiste Colbert, marquis de Louvois, and Hugues de Lionne, among whom he fostered dissension, and later by men of lesser capacity. For 54 years Louis devoted himself to his task eight hours a day; not the smallest detail escaped his attention. He wanted to control everything from court etiquette to troop movements, from road building to theological disputes. He succeeded because he faithfully reflected the mood of a France overflowing with youth and vigour and enamoured of grandeur.
Who designed the Royal Menagerie at Versailles?
Louis’ Royal Menagerie was the first undertaking at the new Versailles. The layout was designed by architect Louis Le Vau in collaboration with Versailles’ head gardener André Le Nôtre.
What is the Menagerie in Versailles?
The menagerie is included on some of the earliest surviving maps of Versailles. Eye-witness accounts and engravings give us a good idea of what the Royal Menagerie’s pavilion and animal enclosures looked like. In 1663, Le Vau began construction of a small, château-like observatory which was to be the menagerie’s octagonal centrepiece. The iron balconies on the building’s second floor overlooked seven animal courtyards, which radiated outwards in sun-like spokes. The building itself made up the eighth element. Completed within a year, the animal palace cost 500,000 livres to build – enough to feed 12 peasants for 98 years.
Why was the Le Nôtre site chosen?
Le Nôtre selected a five-acre site in park’s south-west corner. It was a 20-minute walk from the palace itself, the location perhaps chosen for hygiene reasons – the King wouldn’t want the malodorous livestock too close to his living quarters. Atlas Van der Hagen – La Ménagerie de Versailles 1683. © Wikimedia.
How was the Menagerie reached?
On the royally-recommended tour, the menagerie was reached via Versailles’ Grand Canal. On special occasions guests were treated to a simulated Mediterranean voyage along the canal, travelling to the menagerie in miniature frigates crewed by costumed sailors or serenaded by musicians in gilded Venetian gondolas.
What did Louis Quatorze wear?
He wore a golden wig and a jewel-laden plumed headdress that emulated the birds he would grow to love. A solar ray motif burst from his embroidered tunic and little suns blazed from his garters and the buckles of his dancing shoes. The young Louis discovered that when he danced, all troubles and hostilities melted away.
What was the plan of the menagerie?
Plans of the menagerie identified the principal inhabitants of the wedge-shaped enclosures. Le Vau’s structure divided animals according to species, the first time in history that a collection of zoo animals had been classified in such a way.
How many birds did the King of Africa bring to the Menagerie?
One such animal wrangler, instructed by the King to venture to North Africa, made 40 trips between 1671 and 1694, returning with more than 800 birds, including 103 ostriches, plus exotic gazelles, goats and sheep. Some of the animals that found their way into the Menagerie were diplomatic gifts from foreign rulers.
What were the aristocrats expected to do at the Palace of Versailles?
At the Palace of Versailles, aristocrats were expected to compete for the privilege of watching Louis XIV wake up, eat meals and prepare for bed. During the early years of Louis XIV’s reign, Anne and Mazarin introduced policies that further consolidated the monarchy’s power, angering nobles and members of the legal aristocracy.
What did Louis XIV appreciate?
A hard-working and meticulous ruler who oversaw his programs down to the last detail, Louis XIV nevertheless appreciated art, literature, music, theater and sports.
How did Louis XIV die?
On September 1, 1715, four days before his 77th birthday, Louis XIV died of gangrene at Versailles. His reign had lasted 72 years, longer than that of any other known European monarch, and left an indelible mark on the culture, history and destiny of France. His 5-year-old great-grandson succeeded him as Louis XV.
What did Louis XIV do to the French government?
His finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619-1683), implemented reforms that sharply reduced the deficit and fostered the growth of industry, while his war minister, the Marquis de Louvois (1641-1691), expanded and reorganized the French army. Louis also managed to pacify and disempower the historically rebellious nobles, who had fomented no less than 11 civil wars in four decades, by luring them to his court and habituating them to the opulent lifestyle there.
What was the first war of devolution?
In 1667 Louis XIV launched the War of Devolution (1667-1668), the first in a series of military conflicts that characterized his aggressive approach to foreign policy, by invading the Spanish Netherlands, which he claimed as his wife’s inheritance. Under pressure from the English, Swedish and especially the Dutch, France retreated and returned the region to Spain, gaining only some frontier towns in Flanders. This unsatisfactory outcome led to the Franco-Dutch War (1672-1678), in which France acquired more territory in Flanders as well as the Franche-Comté. Now at the height of his powers and influence, Louis established “chambers of reunion” to annex disputed cities and towns along France’s border through quasi-legal means.
What did Louis XIV control?
Louis XIV Assumes Control of France. The Arts and the Royal Court Under Louis XIV. Louis XIV and Foreign Policy. Louis XIV and Religion. Death of Louis XIV. The reign of France’s Louis XIV (1638-1715), known as the Sun King, lasted for 72 years, longer than that of any other known European sovereign. In that time, he transformed the monarchy, ...
What was Louis XIV's foreign policy?
In 1667 Louis XIV launched the War of Devolution (1667-1668), the first in a series of military conflicts that characterized his aggressive approach to foreign policy, by invading the Spanish Netherlands, which he claimed as his wife’s inheritance.
What did Louis XIV believe?
By the 1680s, however, the devoutly Catholic Louis XIV believed his faith should be the sole religion of his country. After years of persecuting Protestants and constricting their rights, the Catholic king revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685 through his issuance of the Edict of Fontainebleau, which ordered the destruction of Protestant churches, ...
How long did Louis XIV rule?
In the latter years of his 72-year rule, however, the succession of wars launched by the king ultimately took their toll on France and resulted in battlefield defeats, crippling debt, and famine. Citizens grew so disgruntled that they even jeered the diseased Louis XIV during his funeral procession.
How many children did Louis XIV have?
Louis XIV, however, had a healthy libido and fathered more than a dozen illegitimate children with a number of mistresses. Mistress Louise de La Vallière bore five of the king’s children, only two of which survived infancy, while her rival Madame de Montespan, who eventually became the king’s chief mistress, gave birth to seven of the monarch’s children. Louis XIV eventually legitimized most of his children born to mistresses in the years following their births.
How old was Louis XIV when he was crowned?
Louis XIV was 15 years old at the time of his coronation in 1654, but he did not wield absolute power over France until seven years later when Mazarin died. (After the death of Louis XIV, history repeated itself as his five-year-old great-grandson, Louis XV, succeeded him.)
What did Louis dieudonné mean?
So relieved were the royal couple to have a direct heir to the throne that they christened the boy Louis-Dieudonné, meaning “gift of God. ”. If the name alone didn’t give Louis XIV an inflated sense of himself, Mazarin also instilled in the boy the notion that kings are divinely chosen.
What was the name of the king of France who died in 1715?
Inside the walls of the opulent Palace of Versailles, France’s King Louis XIV died of gangrene on September 1, 1715, just four days short of his 77th birthday. Known as the “Sun King,” Louis XIV centralized power in the monarchy and reigned over a period of unprecedented prosperity in which France became the dominant power in Europe ...
When did Louis XIII die?
When France’s King Louis XIII died at the age of 41 on May 14, 1643, the monarchy passed to his eldest child, Louis XIV, who was just four years and eight months old.
The Reign of Louis XIV
The Royal Court at Versailles
- At Versailles, Louis XIV strictly imposed courtly etiquette, the corpus of tacit rules by which noble courtiers were expected to abide, passed down since the reign of Henri III. Each day at court was strictly codified, as Madame Palatine explains in a letter to her aunt Sophie from 1676: "First I went to Versailles, where we were kept busy all day. We hunted from morning until three in the a…
Power and Glory
- Louis XIV was a passionate lover of the arts, and throughout his reign he adopted a bold and ambitious cultural policy. Taking his place alongside François I in the long lineage of royal patrons of the arts, the ‘Sun King’ wanted the superiority of the Kingdom of France to be represented in its artistic output. He thus encouraged artists to celebrate his own grandeur, and that of his kingdo…
The Sun King’s Wars
- Working in the service of the king, Sébastien le Prestre, Marquis de Vauban, owes his reputation to the numerous forts and citadels he designed and built in order to protect the Kingdom of France. Appointed General Commissioner for Fortifications in 1678, Vauban executed his own recommendations to Louis XIV: "to protect his bailiwick.” His vision was to protect the kingdom b…