From Louis I to Louis XIX, A Guide to the Many King Louis
Who was the King Louis who was sent to the guillotine? Which King Louis had the Château de Versailles built? Which king was named Saint Louis? With so many different King Louis, it’s hard to keep them all straight. But each ruler has his impact on the French people and their history. Here’s a brief guide to the many different King Louis and how you can trace their footsteps on your next trip to France.
From Louis I to Louis XIX, A Guide to the Many King Louis
Louis I (778-840)
Nicknamed Louis the Pious, he held the title of King of Aquitaine before becoming emperor with his father Charlemagne, per Britannica. Louis I was born near what is now known as Poitiers, France — but at this point, it was still the Holy Roman Empire.
Louis II (846-879)
Son of King Charles II the Bald, Louis II earned the nickname of Louis the Stammerer. As his nickname suggests, Louis II was remembered for his stuttering, per Anecdotes Historiques. He only held the title of King of the Franks for several years before his death in 879, per La Rousse.
Louis III (863-882)
Upon his father Louis II’s death, he and his brother Carloman took the throne of the West Frankish kingdom, per Britannica. He may have earned the nickname Louis the Victorious, according to La Rousse, but he didn’t even reach his 20th birthday.
Louis IV (921-954)
Born to a French father and English mother, this French king earned the nickname Louis d’Outremer, or from Overseas, per Britannica.
Louis V (967-987)
This King Louis wasn’t known for his efficiency as seen with his nickname Louis the Lazy. He was the last of the Carolingian monarchs. He died after falling off a horse, and Hugh Capet became King of the Franks, per Larousse.
Louis VI (1080-1137)
Out of the many nicknames of the Kings Louis, this one is quite memorable: Louis the Fat. But he’s remembered for more than his waistline. Part of the Capetian dynasty, Louis VI is also remembered for his wars with King Henry I of England and “bring(ing) the unruly barons of the royal lands under firm control,” per Britannica.
Private Tour to the Château de Fontainebleau
Versailles is well-known for its royal residence status, but that certainly isn’t the only place where French royalty dwelled. On this half-day tour, embark on a journey to the Château de Fontainebleau. A short drive from Paris, this castle boasts nearly a millennium of history. Various King Louis stayed here, and you can trace their footsteps in this majestic castle. Your tour will also include a stop in the charming village of Barbizon.
Louis VII (1120-1180)
The next King of the Franks was Louis the Fat’s son who became Louis VII. Louis the Younger was crowned in Reims Cathedral by Pope Innocent II, after his older brother had died, according to the French History Podcast. He is remembered for his involvement in the Second Crusade, per Larousse.
Louis VIII (1187-1226)
This king’s legacy lies in gaining power in Poitou and Languedoc and his successful crusade against the Albigensian heretics, according to Britannica. On his way back from this crusade, he died, and after his death, he earned the nickname Louis the Lion-Heart, per Larousse.
Louis IX (1214-1270)
There are plenty of King Louis, but Louis IX is especially one to know for his influence on French history. Known as Saint Louis, he is the only French king to be canonized, per Sainte Chapelle. He is celebrated for his justice and diplomacy and remembered for his building projects in Angers and Aigues-Mortes.
Visit to Sainte Chapelle
Step away from the hustle and bustle of Paris and into the sacred Sainte Chapelle. Its 15 stained glass bays are sure to take your breath away. The crazy thing? Built in the 1200s by Louis IX, the chapel was built in under seven years, per Centre des Monuments Nationaux.
Louis X (1289-1316)
Bearing the nickname Louis the Quarrelsome, he was King of Navarre before becoming King of France. He worked to calm the barons at the time and also started the end of serfdom, per Britannica.
Louis XI (1423-1483)
This King Louis is remembered for “strengthening and unifying France after the Hundred Years’ War,” per Britannica.
Louis XII (1462-1515)
Hailing as “Father of the People,” Louis XII is celebrated for his popularity among the French people, particularly for administering justice and keeping his land free from civil war, per Britannica.
Louis XIII (1601-1643)
We owe the beginnings of Versailles to Louis XIII. In 1623, he commissioned a hunting lodge in Versailles before replacing it with a palace, per Château de Versailles. We can thank this King Louis for some of the renovations at the Louvre, per Zig Zag.
Private Themed Louvre Tour
With a museum as massive as the Louvre, it’s hard to know where to begin. On this private tour with a licensed guide, we cater the tour to your interests. Want to discover the paintings and statues of the many French kings? Curious about the history of the Louvre buildings themselves and which royals helped build the complex? We cater the tour to your wishes.
Louis XIV (1638 – 1715)
On the very long list of the many King Louis, the “Sun King” is one to take note of, especially for his ties to Versailles. King Louis XIV reigned for more than 70 years and believed that his royal title was by divine right, according to Versailles. “In 1682 he moved the royal Court to the Palace of Versailles, the defining symbol of his power and influence in Europe,” according to the Château of Versailles.
Full-day Tour of the Château de Versailles
Not only is the Château de Versailles ornately decorated, but it’s also rich with centuries of history. On this full-day tour, your guide will unveil the secrets and tales of this palace. Wander the Hall of Mirrors, get lost in the gardens, admire the king and queen’s royal apartments. Experience the history of the different King Louis with all five senses. Looking for a truly exclusive experience? With French Side Travel, you can enjoy a VIP tour with access to private tour of secret passages and confidential rooms.
Louis XV (1710-1774)
If the reign of Louis XIV was the golden era, Louis XV’s was anything but. With the Duke of Orleans as his regent, Louis XV became king at the very ripe age of 5, according to Biography.com. Earlier in his life, he boasted the nickname of “the Well-Loved,” but unfortunately, the tale didn’t end as such. Costly wars, overspending, battlefield losses and an assasination attempt followed and tarnished his reputation. He began and finished his life in the Palace of Versailles. And along with his legacy, Louis XV left a mess for his successor.
Louis XVI (1754-1793)
Wed to Marie Antoinette, a revolution on his hands, breathed his last at the guillotine. Louis XVI didn’t even reach his 40th birthday, but he sure created a lot of buzz in his short life. On July 14, 1789, the French people stormed the Bastille prison, which was a “symbol of repressive royal power” per BBC. (And that day became France’s independence day.) The next few years were hectic, to say the least. Angry mobs, a failed attempt to escape the country, treason charges, and a sentence to the guillotine. The French monarchy was tossed out for a republic.
You might also be interested on the life and legacy of Marie Antoinette.
Louis XVII (1785-1795)
Son of the not-so-loved King Louis XVI, Louis XVII died in prison of tuberculosis at age 10, according to the Château de Versailles.
Louis XVIII (1755-1824)
Brother of King Louis XVI, While his brother and Marie Antoinette tried to flee France and failed, Louis XVIII succeeded. When his nephew Louis XVII died, he wasted no time in declaring himself king even if he spent the following years bouncing around Europe in Prussia, England and Russia, per Britannica. King Louis XVIII returned to France in 1814 and officially took the throne. But when a certain Napoleon Bonaparte returned from Elba, Louis XVIII fled to Ghent, according to Britannica.
Louis XIX (1775-1844)
And for the final King Louis, he takes the cake for shortest reign of any monarch, according to History Facts. When his father Charles X abdicated the throne in 1830, his son Louis XIX joined the club by signing his own name about 20 minutes later, making him king for less than an hour, per Alliance Française.
Private Guided Driving Tour to Basilica of Saint-Denis
With more than 100 royals buried in this cathedral, the Basilica of Saint-Denis is an important place for France. On your private guided tour, you’ll have the chance to admire the Gothic architecture and uncover France’s royal history. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the tombs of various King Louis.
Where to Stay in France
Hotel Les Lumières in Versailles
The next best thing after staying the Château of Versailles is perhaps a reservation at this five-star hotel. The historic Gramont and Villacerf pavilions of Versailles were transformed into the Hôtel les Lumières. Choose from its 31 luxurious rooms, and get the royal treatment at its in-house spa.
France abounds with history, and it’s anything but dry. From revolutions to guillotines, elaborate castles to sophisticated coronations, the different King Louis of France boast a wealth of stories. Whether you’re looking to explore the Château of Versailles or Fontainebleau, we have plenty of activities to trace the steps of the King Louis. Contact one of our travel specialists today to live French history for yourself. You might also like: Paris in Style: A Luxury Escape of Art, History & Taste or Timeless France: From Paris to the Loire Valley.