Inspirational Quotes by Louis XIV of France (King of France)

Louis XIV (1638–1715) was King of France 1643–1715. He brought the French monarchy to the pinnacle of absolute power and made France the dominant force in Europe. His reign is also associated with the greatest era of French culture, literature, and art.

Born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Louis became king of France after the death of his father, Louis XIII, but Louis XIV’s mother, Anne of Austria, named regent, and the Prime Minister, Cardinal Jules Mazarin, wielded real power. Louis XIV took control of the government upon Mazarin’s death.

Nicknamed Le Roi Soleil (“The Sun King”) because of the brilliance of his court, Louis ruled his country from the magnificent palace he built at Versailles. Credited with saying “l’état, c’est moi” (“I am the state,”) Louis remains the symbol of absolute monarchy of the classical age—his total reign of 73 years was the longest in European history and marked the political and cultural hegemony of France. His almost constant wars of expansion, however, unified Europe against him and gravely weakened France’s financial position.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Louis XIV of France