Joyeux Anniversaire Louis, le Bien-Aimé!

On a cloudy, unremarkable day in February 1710, a rather remarkable event occurred: a tiny, sickly infant was born in a small town outside Paris, France.  Despite many societal, medical and even political odds, the child would one-day become King of France.

The future Louis XV was born on February 15, 1710 to Marie Adélaïde of Savoy and Louis, Dauphin of France.  As the couple's third son, little Louis was given the customary title of Duc d'Anjou.

Fate played a fickle game with this royal child.  First, allowing him to be born to uncommonly loving and devoted parents.  Then, in making him an orphan shortly after his second birthday. 

Sometime early in February of 1712, Marie Adélaïde of Savoy contracted measles.  Her loyal husband remained at her side throughout her illness.  By February 18, they had both died, as had little Louis' two older brothers (also named Louis).

In less than two weeks, Louis went from being the third child of two loving parents, to a royal orphan without siblings.

Great-Grandpa's Words of Wisdom:
When Louis XIV realized he was dying, he called for his five year old great-grandson.   In a voice thick with emotion, the dying king whispered to the future Louis XV,  "Sweet child, you are about to be a great king, but your whole happiness will depend on your submitting to God, and on the care you have to relieve your people of their burden. In order to do this you must, whenever you can, avoid making war; it is the ruin of the people. Do not follow the bad example I have given you on this point. Often I have started wars without sufficient cause and continuted them to satisfy my pride."

On September 1, 1715, at 8:20 in the morning, Louis XIV succumb to the painful ravages of gangrene.  His five-year-old great-grandson was now the King of France.

Louis XV By The Numbers:

• Although Louis, the Dauphin and Marie Adélaïde of Savoy named all 3 of their sons Louis, only one would become King of France!
• A few years before his death, Louis XIV drafted a letter to the young King of Spain, wherein he listed his 33 maxims for being a good king.  A copy of this would later be delivered to Louis XV.  These maxims included:  "Always openly take the side of virtue against vice." (Louis XV would struggle with this maxim most of his adult life)  "Never allow yourself to become fond of anyone." (He failed in this one, as well, having deeply loved his eldest daughter and his also his mistress, Madame de Pompadour)   
• Louis XV's reign last nearly 59 years.
• Louis XV was father to 11 legitimate children (one, an unnamed infant, was stillborn).
• Of his 11 legitimate children, only 4 outlived him.
• Louis XV had countless mistresses, the most famous of which were the sophisticated and stylish Madame de Pompadour and the brazen and unrefined Madame du Barry.
• Louis XV had at least 14 illegitimate children (It is believed he fathered many more children, though they have not been verified)
• Louis XV had 1 elevator installed in his palace at Versailles.  Called the "Flying Chair," it allowed the lusty monarch to visit his many mistresses on the down-low.

Who's Who in the Life of Louis XV:

Louis XV's parents: Louis, Dauphin of France
 and Marie Adélaïde of Savoy

Louis XV, a handsome,
virile king who would earn the
title "The Beloved"

  Marie Leszczyńska, Louis XV's
dull but kind wife

Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV's stylish,
loyal mistress, who held sway over
the king and his court until her death 

Madame du Barry, Louis XV's
beautiful but brash mistress who
would become Marie Antoinette's
bitter enemy

Louise Élisabeth de France,

Duchess de Parma, was

Louis XV's favorite daughter.  It was

reported the King wept profusely

when Louise Elisabeth left his court to

be married to Philip, Duke of Parma.

Marie Antoinette, Louis XV's
grandaughter-in-law, who would
please him immensely with
her charm and beauty.

Want to learn more about Louis XV's contribution to French History, his politics and passions, his numerous naughty sexcapades? 

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