ADVERTISEMENT

Louis XVI

Last king of France before French Revolution.

Louis XVI, the last king of France, reigned from 1774 until the monarchy's abolition in 1792. His reign was marked by attempts at reform, support for American colonists, and growing opposition from the French populace. Louis XVI was eventually arrested, tried for treason, and executed in 1793, ending over a thousand years of continuous French monarchy.

Related

French Revolution Marie Antoinette Napoleon Bonaparte Louis Vuitton Maximilien Robespierre Voltaire Thomas Paine Charles II of England Thomas Jefferson François-Henri Pinault

Timeline

Birth of Louis XVI

Louis XVI, the last King of France before the French Revolution, was born on August 23, 1754.

Birth of Louis-Stanislas, comte de Provence

Louis-Stanislas, comte de Provence was born in 1755 as the future Louis XVIII of France, as part of the dauphin's family.

Birth of Charles-Philippe, comte d'Artois

Charles-Philippe, comte d'Artois was born in 1757 as the future Charles X of France, adding to the dauphin's family.

Birth of Marie-Clotilde

Marie-Clotilde was born in 1759, becoming part of the dauphin's expanding family.

Birth of Elizabeth-Philippa

Elizabeth-Philippa was born in 1764, the youngest addition to the dauphin's family.

Louis-Auguste de France becomes the new Dauphin

On this date, Louis-Auguste de France assumed the title of Dauphin, which was the traditional title given to the heir apparent to the French throne.

Death of Louis XVI's mother

Louis XVI's mother, Marie-Josèphe of Saxony, passed away in 1767 also due to tuberculosis. Her death further impacted Louis-Auguste's life, leaving him with significant losses at a young age.

Franco-Austrian alliance strengthened

In 1768, Louis XV worked to strengthen the new Franco-Austrian alliance by arranging the marriage of his heir, Louis-Auguste, to the Austrian archduchess Maria Antonia. This alliance was significant in the political landscape of Europe during that time.

Marriage of Louis-Auguste and Marie Antoinette

Louis-Auguste, at the age of fifteen, married Marie Antoinette, his second cousin once removed. The marriage faced hostility from the French public due to the country's alliance with Austria and the young couple's initial distance.

Consummation of Louis-Auguste and Marie Antoinette's Marriage

Reportedly, the marriage between Louis-Auguste and Marie Antoinette was consummated in July 1773, after initial difficulties.

Louis XVI is crowned King of France

Louis XVI becomes the King of France at the age of 19.

Louis XVI becomes King

On November 23, 1774, Louis XVI ascended to the throne at a young age, not yet 20 years old.

Flour War and Louis XVI's Coronation

In June 1775, Louis XVI's official coronation at Reims was marred by the Flour War, a series of bread riots that foreshadowed the unrest and challenges he would face during his reign. This event highlighted the growing discontent among the French populace.

Louis XVI Supports North American Colonists

Louis XVI actively supported the North American colonists in their quest for independence from Great Britain. This support culminated in the 1783 Treaty of Paris.

Visit of Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor to France

Joseph II, the Holy Roman Emperor, visits France in an attempt to resolve the marital issues between his sister, Queen Marie Antoinette, and King Louis XVI.

Birth of Marie-Thérèse, daughter of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Queen Marie Antoinette of France gives birth to her first child, daughter Marie-Thérèse, eight years after her marriage to King Louis XVI.

Marie Antoinette's First Miscarriage

Marie Antoinette suffered her first miscarriage in 1779, a few months after the birth of her first child. Louis XVI spent time consoling her, keeping the incident private.

Louisville, Kentucky named after Louis XVI

In 1780, the Virginia General Assembly named the city of Louisville, Kentucky, after Louis XVI in honor of the French king who supported the American side in the Revolutionary War.

Birth of Louis-Joseph

Louis-Joseph, a dauphin, was born in 1781, adding to the joy of the royal family.

Louis XVI's alliance with Peshwa Madhav Rao Narayan

In 1782, Louis XVI formed an alliance with Peshwa Madhav Rao Narayan in hopes of expelling the British from India during the American Revolutionary War.

First Aeronautical Experiments at Versailles

In 1783, King Louis XVI hosted the first aeronautical experiments at Versailles. Étienne de Montgolfier floated a balloon filled with hot smoky air, carrying a sheep, a rooster, and a duck over the palace.

Marie Antoinette's Second Miscarriage

On the night of 2–3 November 1783, Marie Antoinette experienced her second miscarriage, adding to the couple's personal struggles.

Pilâtre de Rozier's Flight from Versailles

On 21 November 1783, Pilâtre de Rozier took off from Versailles and succeeded in remaining airborne for 25 minutes.

Birth of Louis-Charles

Louis-Charles, another son of the couple, was born in 1785, further strengthening the bond within the family.

Affair of the Diamond Necklace

In 1786, Louis XVI stood by Marie Antoinette during the scandal of the diamond necklace, showcasing his loyalty to his wife despite public scrutiny.

Edict of Versailles

Louis XVI signed the Edict of Versailles, granting civil and legal status to non-Roman Catholics in France, effectively ending religious persecution within his realm.

Louis Convenes the Estates-General

Louis XVI called for a meeting of the Estates-General, marking the first time it had been convened since the reign of Louis XIII.

Louis XVI Attempts to Flee

Louis XVI made an unsuccessful attempt to escape with his parents in secret towards Paris.

Louis XVI is Imprisoned

Louis XVI was incarcerated after being captured, marking a significant turning point in the French Revolution.

Execution of Louis XVI

Louis XVI was executed by guillotine on January 21, 1793, during the French Revolution.

Letter to Citizen Barrere regarding Louis Capet

On September 5, 1793, a letter was written to Citizen Barrere discussing the reasons for preserving the life of Louis Capet.

The Lost King of France: How DNA Solved the Mystery of the Murdered...

A book titled 'The Lost King of France: How DNA Solved the Mystery of the Murdered...' written by Deborah Cadbury and published in 2003.

Histoire de France: Tome seizième : Louis XV et Louis XVI

A book titled 'Histoire de France: Tome seizième : Louis XV et Louis XVI' written by Jules Michelet and published in 2017.

End of the Timeline
Louis XVI

Popular

Chinese multinational technology company specializing in e-commerce

Short-form video hosting service

TikTok

American retired Navy SEAL and ultramarathon runner.

David Goggins

Berkshire Hathaway

American multinational conglomerate holding company

Subhas Chandra Bose

Indian nationalist leader during British Raj

ADVERTISEMENT

Recently Added

Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.

English professional football club in Brighton and Hove

Professional football club in West London

Burnley F.C. is a football club in Lancashire

A.F.C. Bournemouth

Football club with roots dating back to 1890

Gustave Courbet

French Realism painter and innovator

ADVERTISEMENT