Absolutism in France
(In the 17th & 18th centuries)
Absolutism=form of gov’t. where one ruler has complete control
France’s Absolute Monarchy
 France had a monarchy, which means that
they were ruled by a King/Queen.
 However, the type of monarchy they had was
an absolute monarchy.
France had an absolute monarchy
 An absolute monarchy is where the
monarch (King/Queen) has total or
absolute power.
 In an absolute monarchy, there is no
constitution.
 The King has the power to do whatever
he wants!
The Bourbons
1. The Last name of France’s royal family
was Bourbon.
2. Louis XIV (14th ) was 5 years old when
he inherited the throne (1643).
3.Cardinal Mazarin ruled the country for
Louis XIV until he was old enough.
4. He believed he ruled with “Divine right,”
meaning he got his right to rule directly
from God.
Louis XIV at age 5 when he
inherited the throne
Louis XIV will take
over France when
he is 22 years old.
Cardinal
Mazarin
dies (1661)
Louis XIV – The “Sun King”
He was known as the Sun King because
of the idea that “As the planets revolve
around the Sun, so too should France
and the court revolve around him.”
Louis XIV’s Beliefs
1. He believed in the “Divine right of Kings.”
2. A famous quote of his was, “L'état c'est
moi!” (I am the State.)
3. He had the Palace of Versailles
constructed in 1668 – it was an old hunting
lodge of his father’s (Louis XIII).
The Palace of Versailles
1. Luxurious home of Louis XIV & kings after him
2. It is 11 miles southwest of Paris
3. Estimated cost - $100,000,000 (Louis XIV burnt most of
the records) – As of 2003, it would cost $2.5 billion
4. 700 rooms, 67 staircases, 200 windows
5. Could accommodate 10,000 people
6. Hall of Mirrors (most famous room)
7. Just running Versailles took up ¼ of France’s national
budget!
Facts:
1. 246 feet long
x 33 feet wide
2. Seventeen
mirror-clad
arches that
reflect the
seventeen
windows.
3. Each arch
contains twentyone mirrors with
a total of 357.
4. Germany
signed the treaty
of Versailles,
ending WWI, in
this hall.
Hall of Mirrors in
Versailles
Inside the Hall of Mirrors, the most famous room at the Palace of Versailles
Louis XIV’s Elaborate
Rules at Versailles:
1. People who wanted to
speak to the king could not
knock on his door. Instead,
using the left little finger,
they had to gently scratch
on the door, until they were
granted permission to
enter. As a result, many
courtiers grew that
fingernail longer than the
others.
Louis XIV Elaborate Rules Continued…….
2. A lady never held hands or
linked arms with a gentleman.
Instead, she was to place her
hand on top of the gentleman’s
bent arm as they strolled
through the gardens and
chambers of Versailles.
3. It is also mentioned that the
ladies were only allowed to
touch fingertips with the men.
Louis XIV Elaborate Rules Continued…….
4. Neither Men nor Women were allowed to Cross their
legs.
Are there more absolute monarchs in
France’s future?
 Louis XIV spent a lot of the taxpayer’s money on the
palace of Versailles and wars. France was bankrupt! The
people of France were not happy.
 But wait……there will be more absolute monarchs after
Louis XIV dies, and they will spend the people’s money just
like Louis XIV!
1. Louis XV
2. Louis XVI
More Absolute Rulers?
 Louis XV (15th)
 Great-grandson of Louis XIV
 Became King at age 5
 Ruled for 69 years
 Weak and indecisive King
Louis XVI (16th)
 Grandson of Louis XV
 Wife Marie Antoinette
 King during Revolution
 Convicted of treason
 Executed by the guillotine
 Only king of France to be
executed
Louis XVI’s wife – Marie Antoinette
 Born in Austria
 Spent a lot of money on clothing, jewelry,
and fancy hairstyles
 Nickname “Madame Deficit”
 Executed by the guillotine