King Louis XIV helped absolutism in France reach its peak by building the elaborate palace in Versailles. From marble columns to elaborate rugs to golden statues, no expense was spared in creating one of the most expensive and intricate architectural feats in history. This incidentally triggered the decline of France and ultimately led to the French Revolution of the eighteenth century.

Learning Goals:

Analyze and describe the Palace of Versailles and its effects on the political and economic state of France
Vocabulary:

Absolutism: the belief that a political leader should have an unlimited and centralized authority
Assignment Directions:

Using the Internet, an encyclopedia, or other resources, research the Versailles during the reign of Louis XIV. For this project, you will need to include information about 1) the architecture, design, and construction, 2) the layout of the grounds, and 3) day-to-day life of the palace.

Create a PowerPoint. Use 5 pictures and describe each one in approximately 50 words. Then write a 300-word summary explaining how this relates to the decline of France.

Formatting and Requirements:

Heading and title

Information about 1) the architecture, design, and construction, 2) the layout of the grounds, and 3) day-to-day life of the palace.

Directions:

1. Create 5 pictures

2. Approximately 50 words describing each picture

3. 300-word summary explaining how Versailles relates to the decline of France

Acclaimed as “Louis the God-given”, arriving as he did after a 23-year wait for an heir, Louis XIV was born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1638. Taking the throne at the age of four following the death of his father, King Louis XIII, the young monarch received a thorough education from his mother Anne of Austria and his godfather Cardinal Mazarin. While his mother ruled as regent and Mazarin busied himself with the young king’s political training, a civil conflict known as the Fronde broke out (1648-1653). Originating as a dispute between the monarchy and the Parlement de Paris, the rebellion subsequently spread to the aristocracy. The child king felt humiliated by the arrogance of the great lords and physically threatened in the capital. He would never forget this experience.

Louis XIV married his cousin (on both sides) Maria Theresa of Spain, the Spanish Infanta, at Saint-Jean-de-Luz in 1660. Their marriage sealed the reconciliation between France and neighbouring Spain. The royal couple had six children. Only the eldest, Louis de France, known as Le Grand Dauphin, would survive to adulthood. After the death of the queen in 1683, the King secretly married Madame de Maintenon. She was the last in a series of official mistresses which had included Mademoiselle de La Vallière and Madame de Montespan, with whom he had several legitimated children.

from royal residences to the palace of versailles

Until the official inauguration of the Palace of Versailles on 6 May 1682, the royal court often changed locations. Louis XIV and his courtiers were based in the Louvre Palace, then the Tuileries, alternating with stints at the Châteaux of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Vincennes, Fontainebleau and the rapidly-growing Versailles. The task of building and decorating the ultimate royal residence was entrusted to artists such as André Le Nôtre, Louis Le Vau, Charles Le Brun and Jules Hardouin-Mansart. In 1678 work began on the Hall of Mirrors, the most potent symbol of the King’s absolute power. With enough room to house the whole court, the Palace and its surrounding buildings rapidly became symbols of an age when the nobility were prepared to go to any lengths to be close to the King, who respected the royal tradition whereby the monarch had to be accessible to his courtiers. Under the sovereign’s watchful eye, the nobility could no longer plot against the throne; the great lords were kept in their place in the army or at court, eager to serve and please the King. Intimidating, majestic, kept informed by an army of spies, the king controlled everything.

Explanation:

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