Louis XV History and Biography

Louis XV (1715-1774) and Maria Leczinska

Louis XV, was not expected to be the next King of France. He was the great-grandson of Louis XIV and came to the throne after the early death of both his father (1712) and grandfather (1711). Philip Duke de Orléans was made regent. He was intelligent and charming but appointed friends to government offices who were no match for the financial and military challenges they faced. The most short-sighted decision he made was to give parliament additional powers which most believe was one of the factors leading directly to the revolution. After his death, Louis XV left the government in the hands of his ministers, Duke de Bourbon and Cardinal Fleury. Although his wife, Maria Leczinska of Poland, gave him 10 children in 10 years, his personal life was dominated by a series of mistresses. Madame de Pompadour was a patron of the Enlightenment philosophers Voltaire and Diderot, and the arts, supporting artists, architects and sculptors. This is the peak of achievement in decorative arts. She was influential in the building of Place de la Concorde, Ecole Militaire and Petit Trianon (Architecture). At death, her place was taken by Madame du Barry from 1768 until his death in 1774. His legacy to his grandson, Louis XVI, was near bankruptcy and a powerful parliament ready for revolt. 

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