Louis XV

Louis XIV of France and his family attributed to Nicolas de Largillière

Louis XV cours principaux fleuves P1600549

P1600523 Louis XV lit de justice

Louis Hersent - Peter I of Russia and Louis XV of France

Philippe, duc d'Orléans, Régent, et son fils le duc de Chartres - Versailles MV 5456

Sacre de Louis XV

Louis XV (15 February 1710 – 10 May 1774), known as Louis the Beloved (Louis le bien-aimé), was a monarch of the House of Bourbon who ruled as King of France from 1 September 1715 until his death in 1774. He succeeded his great-grandfather, Louis XIV, at the age of five. Until Louis XV reached maturity in 1723, his kingdom was ruled by Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, as the Regent of France; the duke was his first cousin twice removed and also a prince of the blood. His reign of almost 59 years was the second longest in the history of France, exceeded only by his predecessor and great-grandfather, Louis XIV, who had ruled for 72 years.

In the early years of his reign, Louis XV was highly popular among his subjects. However, his failure to provide solutions for the pressing fiscal and social issues of the kingdom, as well as his perceived indifference to the plight of his subjects, led to a decline in his popularity. He is often criticized for his extramarital relationships, which were seen as indicative of moral decay and contributed to the decline of royal authority that eventually led to the French Revolution.

Early Life

Louis XV was born at the Palace of Versailles to Louis, Duke of Burgundy, and Marie Adélaïde of Savoy. His parents died from smallpox when he was very young, leaving him an orphan. He was raised by his great-uncle, Louis XIV, and became king at the age of five following the death of his great-grandfather.

Reign

During his reign, Louis XV fought several wars, including the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War, which expanded French territory but also drained the royal treasury and contributed to the financial crises that plagued the latter part of his reign. His foreign policy decisions, particularly those regarding colonial expansion, were often controversial and led to mixed outcomes for France.

Louis XV is also known for his contributions to the arts and sciences. He was a patron of the arts, commissioning numerous works that adorned the Versailles Palace and other royal residences. He also supported the establishment of the Encyclopédie, a monumental publication that aimed to compile and disseminate the knowledge of the time, despite its occasional conflict with the Catholic Church.

Personal Life

Louis XV's personal life was marked by numerous extramarital affairs, most notably with Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Barry, which were scandalous to many of his subjects and contributed to a decline in the moral authority of the monarchy. Despite these relationships, he was married to Marie Leszczyńska, the daughter of the deposed king of Poland, with whom he had several children, although only a few survived to adulthood.

Death and Legacy

Louis XV died of smallpox on 10 May 1774 at the Palace of Versailles. He was succeeded by his grandson, Louis XVI, who would be the last king of France before the French Revolution. Louis XV's reign is often seen as a precursor to the Revolution due to his failure to address the fiscal and social issues facing France, as well as the weakening of the monarchy's moral and political authority.