Louis XIV

Known as the Sun King, Louis XIV embodied French absolute monarchy and made Versailles the centre of royal power. He was also a major patron of artists including Molière, Lully and Racine.

The day shown

Versailles · 1700

The calendar follows the formal court routine of Louis XIV’s later reign, with 1700 as a representative year. Saint-Simon’s memoir supplies key times, supplemented by the Palace of Versailles. Ceremonies, councils, outings and meals could change with health, residence and circumstances.