Louis XVI to Louis-Philippe History and Biography

Louis XVI (1774-1792) and Marie Antoinette

Louis XVI was the grandson of Louis XV. He was well educated, loved his people and intended to spend his life making their lives better through legal and tax reform. His reign with Marie Antoinette, daughter of Maria Theresa of Austria, started with great popularity. Unfortunately, his lack of charisma kept him from gathering the support he needed for his reforms, and the severe financial crisis forced him to call the States General (parliament) which led to the beginning of the French Revolution. Louis and Antoinette were forced to leave Versailles to live in the Louvre. In a desperate attempt to leave Paris (June 1791) to organize a government where he had military support, he was captured and returned. He was forced to work under a new constitution, and in August 1792 the Parisians took the royal family prisoner. He was deposed in September 1792, tried in December and guillotined in January 1793. His son (nominally Louis XVII), died in prison.

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Louis XVIII/Bourbon Restoration (1814-1824)

Louis XVIII (Count of Provence) was the younger brother of Louis XVI. He went into exile in 1791 during the revolution and assumed the title in 1795. He returned to France as king only after the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte, and left again during the "hundred days" of Napoleon's return in 1815. He ruled under a constitutional monarchy similar to England's. Well educated and determined, he took a war ravaged country and returned France to prosperity. He is the last king of France to die on the throne, had no children and was succeeded by his brother.

Charles X (1824-1830)

Charles X (Charles-Philippe de Bourbon, Count of Artois) was the youngest brother of Louis XVI and Louis XVIII. He lived in exile during the French Revolution and came to the throne on the death of his brother. He attempted to reverse many of the changes that had been instituted during the revolution. There was a revolt in 1830 and he was forced into exile again.

Louis-Philippe I/July Monarchy (1830-1848) & Marie Amelie

Louis-Philippe (Philippe Egalité during the revolution of 1792) became king with the support of the rich bourgeoisie. He was overthrown, escaped and died in exile.  

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