Louis XIV  (1643-1715) and Maria Theresa

Louis XIV reigned for 72 years, longer than any other French monarch. During the regency of his mother, Anne of Austria, the country was ruled by his chief minister, Jules Mazarin, whose unpopularity led to uprisings called The Fronde. Although Louis XIV was still young, he regained control and became the unquestioned master of France. He married Maria Theresa, a Spanish princess, but better known are his mistresses, Louise de La Vallière, Madame de Montespan and Madame de Maintenon. Leaving the bad memories of Paris behind he began one of the largest building projects ever, the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, and moved the entire court there. His ambitious building projects, and his unsuccessful wars of expansion destroyed the careful financial planning of Colbert, and have been criticized by many, but no one questions the appropriateness of his chosen symbol, which made him The Sun King, or why all of Europe copied the "Style Louis XIV." 

Go to:

• Louis XV

• Bookstore Directory 

• Baroque Architecture

• Baroque Art

• Garden Design

• Pictures of Versailles

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