Louis XIV, the King of France (1638-1715) known as the Sun King was one of the most prominent monarchs in European history. His reign, one of the longest of any monarch in European history lasted for over 70 years. Technically it was around 60 years as he inherited the throne at the age of 6. So he was able to influence the French policies and social life for many centuries ahead.
The notion of L’etat, c’est moi (I am the state) encapsulates his approach to governance, highlighting the absolute monarchy’s zenith under his rule.
His foreign policies, characterized by numerous wars, aimed at expanding French territory and influence, strained relationships with nearly all of France’s neighbors. These conflicts significantly shaped European politics in the 17th and early 18th centuries. The War of Devolution (1667-1668) saw France pitted against Spain over claims to the Spanish Netherlands. Louis XIV claimed parts of the Spanish Netherlands based on his wife, Maria Theresa of Spain’s, rights to the territory. Despite a formal renunciation of her inheritance rights as part of her marriage agreement to Louis XIV, the French monarch argued that, because the dowry had not been fully paid, the renunciation was invalid. Later, the Dutch War (1672-1678) further illustrated his aggressive foreign policy, aiming to weaken the Dutch Republic, a major commercial rival, though it ended with limited territorial gains for France. The Nine Years’ War (1688-1697) and the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) were perhaps the most consequential, draining French resources and manpower. The latter war was a major European conflict triggered by the death of the childless Charles II of Spain in 1700. Charles’s will named Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV of France, as his successor, thereby threatening to unite the vast Spanish Empire, which included territories in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, under the French Bourbon dynasty. A grand coalition formed to challenge Philip’s succession and curb French expansionism, including major powers such as England (later Great Britain), the Dutch Republic, Austria, and Prussia. The conflict was fought on multiple fronts across Europe, from Italy and Germany to the Netherlands and Spain, as well as in the colonies. Despite initial successes, the wars ultimately limited France’s territorial gains and left the kingdom financially weakened and socially strained.
Seeking to strengthen royal authority and finance his ambitious wars and the opulent construction of the Palace of Versailles, Louis implemented significant changes in taxation and state finances. These reforms included the centralization of tax collection and the imposition of new taxes, which were often heavy and fell disproportionately on the peasantry and the burgeoning middle class. While these measures succeeded in increasing the state’s revenue and supported Louis XIV’s lavish expenditures and military campaigns, they also exacerbated the financial burden on common people. This discontent simmered throughout Louis XIV’s reign and beyond, laying the groundwork for the social and economic grievances that would fuel the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century.
Under Louis XIV’s reign, efforts were made to combat the spread of diseases and improve public health through the establishment of hospitals and the promotion of medical research. The king’s support for these initiatives demonstrated an understanding of the importance of a healthy populace for the state’s overall strength and stability. Moreover, Louis XIV’s era saw the founding of institutions such as the Hôtel des Invalides in 1670, which provided care for wounded soldiers and veterans, showcasing a nascent form of social support for those who served the nation. This aspect of his reign is often overshadowed by his military campaigns and the magnificence of Versailles, yet it represents a significant contribution to the early development of public health and welfare systems in France.
With the royal court no longer housed in the Louvre after it was moved to Versailles, Louis XIV saw an opportunity to repurpose the historic palace into a public art museum. By opening the Louvre’s collection to the public, he democratized access to art, allowing not only the nobility but also commoners to enjoy and appreciate the vast collections that had been accumulated by the monarchy over the centuries. This initiative was part of a broader program of artistic and cultural patronage during Louis XIV’s reign, which included the establishment of the French Academy of Painting and Sculpture, the Academy of Architecture, and the Royal Academy of Music. These institutions helped standardize artistic practices and elevate France’s status as a cultural leader in Europe.
Luis XIV, statue by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, standing in front of the Louvre
For years writers and filmmakers have been fascinated by intrigues and plots of the French royal court initially in Louvre and later in Versailles. Very few realize, however, that the fact that Luis XIV established the French court as we know it was in itself a handy political move. In past times noble families from all over Europe, basically no matter the country fought for influence making wars with each other. They often plotted against their own kings. The move by Luis XIV was simple. He invited the noble or aristocratic families under his reign to practically live at or in the neighborhood of the royal premises. By relocating the court from the Louvre to the expansive and opulent Palace of Versailles, he didn’t just create a symbol of absolute monarchy and French grandeur; he also ingeniously centralized power and control over the fractious French nobility. By inviting – or in many cases, requiring – the nobility to reside at Versailles, Louis XIV effectively kept potential rivals close, under his watchful eye. This proximity allowed him to monitor their activities, mitigate plots against his rule, and diminish their power bases in their provincial estates, thereby centralizing authority around the monarchy. The court of Versailles became a double-edged sword for the nobility: a place of unrivaled prestige and luxury, but also one where their independence was curtailed. The king’s ability to dictate the minutiae of court life, from fashion to etiquette, meant that he could exert control over the nobility not just politically, but socially and culturally as well.
Many years ago, a friend of mine, who has lived in the Paris fashion world for sometime explained to me that Luis XIV is told to be the inventor of the fashion seasons. He encouraged the courts to change the garment according to the newest fashion trends. Besides the whole fun around the trends in fashion, this requirement was quite a political one. Instead of spending money on plots, the entire court had to continually spend it on expensive clothing. The king controlled purses of those who lived at the court but also filled in their itineraries. This constant cycle of fashion not only kept the nobility financially preoccupied but also socially engaged, as staying in favor with the king often depended on one’s ability to display wealth and taste through clothing. The king’s control over the court’s fashion was a subtle yet powerful means of maintaining surveillance over his subjects, making it clear that their status at court was tied to their adherence to these trends.
Another significant side effect was boosting the fashion manufacturer’s business (clothing, shoes, various appliances, and perfume) in France and abroad. The fashion industry is now a global business, but still, the fashion week in Paris is the major fashion event in the world. Paris is the capital of fashion as it used to be in times of the Roi Soleil.