Louis XIV

Sites related to Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. He reigned as King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715.

Connected Sites

Site Rationale Link
Belfries A sculpture of an equestrian statue of Louis XIV decorates the façade of the belfry of the town hall of Dunkerque. (Nomination file, p. 36) After the devastating siege of 1710, the town of Aire-sur-la-Lys became French again. Mayor François de Lencquesaing and his aldermen wrote a letter to king Lous XIV asking them to be authorized to finance the reconstruction of the new belfry. He accepted the proposal on the condition of moving it to the back of the town hall so that it cannot be seen from the square. (Nomination File, p. 6)
City of Luxembourg "In 1684, on behalf of Louis XIV, Vauban succeeded in capturing the city of Luxembourg during a month-long siege under which the Bock fortifications were completely flattened."
Cordouan Lighthouse In the King's Apartments (les appartements du roi), the monogram "LM", refering to King Louis XIV, can be found. (Nomination file, p. 67-71)
Dutch Water Defence Lines the old defense line was created as reaction to Louis' attack on Amsterdam
Fontainebleau Louis used the castle and ordered the construction of a new park and a canal
Fortifications of Vauban Louis ordered the construction of the fortifications
Grand Place, Brussels "In July 1695, the city of Namur, occupied for three years by the French, was besieged by an allied army led by William III. Louis XIV ordered the surprise destruction of a Flemish city to divert the attention of these troops. This led to the bombardment of Brussels, in which more than 4,000 buildings were destroyed, including the entire city-center. The strategy failed, as Namur fell three weeks later, but harmed Louis XIV's reputation: a century later, Napoleon deemed the bombardment "as barbarous as it was useless.""
Island of Saint-Louis Named after him
Loire Valley Louis used Chambord several times for parties and hunting
Maritime Greenwich The Painted Hall ceiling contains a representation of him "Below William, clutching a broken sword, is the defeated French king Louis XIV, who wears a yellow tunic, the colour of fear and treachery"
Paris, Banks of the Seine Louis ordered the construction of the Hôtel des Invalides
Québec Bust of him in the Place Royale
Reims coronation place of Louis
Strasbourg The Free City of Strasbourg ... was later annexed by Louis XIV of France to extend the borders of his kingdom. (wiki)
Versailles Louis transformed a former hunting lodge into the palace

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