Louis XIV

Louis XIV, known as the Sun King (le Roi Soleil), was born on 5 September 1638 at Saint-Germain-en-Laye and ascended to the throne at the age of four. His personal rule, beginning in 1661, came to define absolute monarchy in Europe. While he ultimately shifted the center of political power from the Loire Valley to his grandiose palace at Versailles, he maintained a connection to the Loire region during the earlier years of his reign. He utilized the Château de Chambord as a hunting lodge and a venue for royal entertainment; notably, it was at Chambord that Molière’s comedy Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme was performed for the first time in 1670. Louis XIV also stayed occasionally at the Château de Blois before permanently focusing his architectural ambitions on the Île-de-France. He died in Versailles on 1 September 1715 after a reign of 72 years.

Château d’Ussé

Rigny-Ussé

15th - 17th century

Château de Chenonceau

Chenonceaux

1515 - 1522

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

↑Back to Top