King Louis XIV of France
(1638-1715)

King of France (1643-1715) and King of Navarre (1643-1715)

Died aged 76

Louis XIV (Louis Dieudonné; 5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand) or the Sun King (le Roi Soleil), was King of France from 14 May 1643 until his death in 1715. His reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest of any sovereign in history whose date is verifiable. Although Louis XIV's France was emblematic of the age of absolutism in Europe, the King surrounded himself with a variety of significant political, military, and cultural figures, such as Bossuet, Colbert, Le Brun, Le Nôtre, Lully, Mazarin, Molière, Racine, Turenne, and Vauban. Louis began his personal rule of France in 1661, after the death of his chief minister, the Cardinal Mazarin. An adherent of the concept of the divine right of kings, Louis continued his predecessors' work of creating a centralised state governed from the capital. He sought to eliminate the remnants of feudalism persisting in parts of France; by compelling many members of the nobility to inhabit his lavish Palace of Versailles, he succeeded in pacifying the aristocracy, many members of which had participated in the Fronde during his minority. By these means he became one of the most powerful French monarchs and consolidated a system of absolute monarchy in France that endured until the French Revolution. Louis also enforced uniformity of religion under the Gallican Catholic Church. His revocation of the Edict of Nantes abolished the rights of the Huguenot Protestant minority and subjected them to a wave of dragonnades, effectively forcing Huguenots to emigrate or convert, as well as virtually destroying the French Protestant community. During Louis's long reign, France emerged as the leading European power and regularly asserted its military strength. A conflict with Spain marked his entire childhood, while during his reign, the kingdom took part in three major continental conflicts, each against powerful foreign alliances: the Franco-Dutch War, the Nine Years' War, and the War of the Spanish Succession. In addition, France also contested shorter wars, such as the War of Devolution and the War of the Reunions. Warfare defined Louis's foreign policy and his personality shaped his approach. Impelled by "a mix of commerce, revenge, and pique", he sensed that war was the ideal way to enhance his glory. In peacetime, he concentrated on preparing for the next war. He taught his diplomats that their job was to create tactical and strategic advantages for the French military. Upon his death in 1715, Louis XIV left his great-grandson and successor, Louis XV, a powerful kingdom, albeit in major debt after the thirteen-year-long War of the Spanish Succession. Significant achievements during his reign which would go on to have a wide influence on the early modern period well into the Industrial Revolution and until today, include the construction of the Canal du Midi, the patronage of artists, and the founding of the French Academy of Sciences.

DbPedia
Wikidata Wikipedia

Family tree

Commemorated on 5 plaques

Hôtel de Châteaurenard Il fut construit pour un Conseiller au Parlement par Pierre Pavillion. La modénature baroque de sa façade sur rue dessinée par Pavillion a été largement détruite lorsqu'on voulu en moderniser l'aspect aux goûts classiques. Les traces des frontons triangulaires au dessus des fenêtres apparaissent encore sur le mur austère. L'hôtel conserve pourtant un trésor, la peinture en trompe-l'œil qui courve toutes les surfaces de la cage de l'escalier central. Elle montre dans des architectures et das paysages, un perroquet dans une cage suspendue et un valet accueillant le visiteur. Le réalisme de cet immense trompe-l'œil stupéfiait les contemporains de Jean Daret, qui le peignit en 1656. Louis XIV, logé dans cet hôtel durant son séjour de 1660, en fut tellement enchanté qu'il prévint ses gardes contre toute dégradation, en les menaçant de sanctions particulières. De plus, il donna à Jean Daret le titre de peintre du Roi.

English translation: Hotel de Châteaurenard It was built for a Councillor in Parliament by Pierre Pavillion. The Baroque modesty of its street façade designed by Pavillion has been largely destroyed in order to modernise its appearance to classic tastes. Traces of triangular pediments above windows still appear on the austere wall. However, the hotel retains a treasure, the trompe-l'oeil painting that travels all the surfaces of the cage of the central staircase. It shows in architectures and landscapes, a parrot in a hanging cage and a valet welcoming the visitor. The realism of this immense trompe-l'oeil amazed the contemporaries of Jean Daret, who painted it in 1656. Louis XIV, housed in this hotel during his 1660 stay, was so delighted that he warned his guards against any degradation, threatening them with special sanctions. He also gave Jean Daret the title of King's painter. [AWS Translate]

Rue Gaston de Saporta, Aix-en-Provence, France where they was

Palais de l'Archevêché L'archevêché fut établi dans ce lieu vers 1340, transporté du faubourg de la Seds, dit "Ville des Tours", trop isolé face à l'insécurite. Le Palais fut sans cesse agrandi jusqu'à la fin du 18e siècle, pour être digne de la puissance spirituelle et temporelle des Princes de l'église qui l'habitaient. Tous les souverains français de passage à Aix y furent logés, de François 1er à Napoléon III. La réconciliation de Louis XIV et de Condé y fut scellée dans le Salon jaune. Un vaste réaménagement fut mené de 1650 à 1730, auquel participa Laurent Vallon. Durant celluici la façade et la porte monumentale de style Régence attribuée à Bernard Toro furent créées (1715). Sécularisé en 1905, il devint un musée en 1910 qui conserve les tapisseries possédées par les archevêques. Ces collections furent enriches de textiles du 20e siècle et d'objets relatifs au Festival d'Art Lyrique. C'est dans sa cour qu'est traditionnellement abrité ce festival international.

English translation: Palace of the Archbishop The archbishop was established in this place around 1340, transported from the suburb of the Seds, called “City of Tours”, too isolated in the face of the insecurity. The Palace was constantly enlarged until the end of the 18th century, to be worthy of the spiritual and temporal power of the Princes of the Church who inhabited it. All the French rulers passing through Aix were housed there, from Francis 1st to Napoleon III. The reconciliation of Louis XIV and Condé was sealed in the Yellow Salon. A major redevelopment was carried out from 1650 to 1730, in which Laurent Vallon participated. During cellici the façade and the monumental Regency-style door attributed to Bernard Toro were created (1715). Secularized in 1905, it became a museum in 1910 that preserves the tapestries owned by the archbishops. These collections were enriched with 20th century textiles and objects related to the Lyric Art Festival. This international festival is traditionally housed in its courtyard. [AWS Translate]

Musée des Tapisseries - Palais de l'Archevêché - Place des Martyrs de la Resistance, Aix-en-Provence, France where they reconsolidated

Porte franchie, pour leur Mariage, le 9 Juin 1660 par Louis XIV, Roy de France et de Navarre - et Marie Therese d'Autriche, Infante d'Espagne. Porte Murée après la Cérémonie, célebrée devant Jean d'Olce d'Iholdy, Evêque de Bayonne.

English translation: Door crossed, for their wedding, on 9 June 1660 of Louis XIV, King of France and Navarre - and Marie Therese of Austria, Infante of Spain. Walled Door after the Ceremony, celebrated before Jean d'Olce d'Iholdy, Bishop of Bayonne.

rue Gambetta, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France where they was

Ici naquit Louis XIV, 5.7bre 1638.

English translation: Louis XIV was born here 5 September 1638

19-21 Rue Thiers, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France where they was born (1638)

Ancien Carmel de Beaune Fonde sur l'emplacement du Prieure St Etienne Louis XIV y passa avec la Cour le 20 Novembre 1658

English translation: Former Carmelite of Beaune Founded on the site of Prieure St Etienne Louis XIV went with the Court 20 November 1658

Place Félix Ziem, Beaune, France where they passed through (1658)