FRÉDÉRIC BIDOUZE
Louis XV, un mythe français (Ellipses)
Today, Louis XV (1715-1774) is a king ignored by the public, both in textbooks and in the landscape. The "Louis XV style" and Versailles have undoubtedly better survived the deluge.
The decline of an old monarchy on the eve of the French Revolution, his legendary reputation as a ruler dominated by women and incapable of governing, and a certain retreat of the kingdom in foreign policy in favor of England, have for a long time obscured both the man, his policies and, above all, his context. The myth that was created during his lifetime and spread after his death tells us a great deal about our history, about ourselves and, ultimately, about France.
Louis XV, un mythe français (Ellipses)
Today, Louis XV (1715-1774) is a king ignored by the public, both in textbooks and in the landscape. The "Louis XV style" and Versailles have undoubtedly better survived the deluge.
The decline of an old monarchy on the eve of the French Revolution, his legendary reputation as a ruler dominated by women and incapable of governing, and a certain retreat of the kingdom in foreign policy in favor of England, have for a long time obscured both the man, his policies and, above all, his context. The myth that was created during his lifetime and spread after his death tells us a great deal about our history, about ourselves and, ultimately, about France.
