Louis XV of France
King of France during much of the eighteenth century. His reign combined courtly prestige, costly wars and growing fiscal and political problems inherited by his successors.
Life of Louis XV of France
A child king
Louis XIV’s great-grandson, he was born in Versailles in 1710 and orphaned in 1712 by an epidemic that killed his parents and brother. King at five in 1715, he was governed first by the regent Philip of Orléans and then by the Duke of Bourbon. In 1725 he married Marie Leszczyńska.
References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica
Fleury and the succession wars
Cardinal Fleury directed government between 1726 and 1743. France intervened in the War of the Polish Succession, which gave Lorraine to Stanisław Leszczyński with reversion to France, and in the War of the Austrian Succession. After the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748, it returned its conquests in the Low Countries.
References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Seven Years’ War
The reversal of alliances in 1756 united France with Austria. The Seven Years’ War ended in 1763 with the loss of Canada and most of French India to Great Britain. Lorraine was permanently incorporated in 1766, followed in 1768 by Corsica, ceded by Genoa.
References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica
Crisis in the final years
The influence of Madame de Pompadour and Madame du Barry, conflict with the parlements and fiscal difficulties damaged the king’s image. Chancellor Maupeou suppressed the parlements in 1771. Louis XV died of smallpox at Versailles in 1774 and was succeeded by his grandson Louis XVI.
References: Deutsche Biographie · Encyclopaedia Britannica
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 15 February 1710 Documented
Death: 10 May 1774 Documented
Role: King of France · Titular king of Navarre
Other recorded names: Louis the Beloved
Dynasty: Bourbon · ES
Territories: France (ES) · Navarre (ES)
Recorded relationships
Their titles over time
Follow the changing territories and offices of Louis XV of France. Each title retains its own status.
Governments in 1715
- FranceKing
View titles and jurisdictions
- France · ESKing · Effective rule1715–1774
Nominal and disputed titles (1)
- Navarre · ESKing · Titular1715–1774 · From 1512 the two lines did not effectively govern the whole of the former kingdom.
Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.
Sources for this profile
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Ludwig XV., Frankreich, König
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
7 recorded claims · 0 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
15 February 1710
The authority record gives the birth as 1710-02-15. - DeathDocumented
10 May 1774
The authority record gives the death as 1774-05-10.
Family and relationships (3/3 with a precise source)
- FatherDocumented
Louis, Duke of Burgundy
The authority record identifies Louis, Duke of Burgundy (GND 119544687) as father. - MotherDocumented
Marie Adélaïde of Savoy
The authority record identifies Marie Adélaïde of Savoy (GND 11899610X) as mother. - Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Marie Leszczyńska
The authority record identifies Marie Leszczyńska (GND 118577786) as spouse.
Governments (2/2 with a precise source)
- GovernmentDocumented
King · France · 1715–1774
The authority record dates this office to 1715–1774.
Biographical and contextual references (2)
Editorial history
- 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
- 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
More paths from Louis XV of France
Family
Louis, Duke of Burgundy · ESPrince / Dauphin1682 – 1712Marie Adélaïde of Savoy · ESConsort / Dauphine1685 – 1712Marie Leszczyńska · ESConsort1703 – 1768Louis, Dauphin of France · ESPrince / Dauphin1729 – 1765Same dynasty
Ferdinand VI of Spain“the Learned”King of Spain1713 – 1759Maria Teresa Rafaela of Spain · ESConsort / Dauphine1726 – 1746Mariana Victoria of Spain · ESConsort1718 – 1781
Charles III of SpainKing of Spain1716 – 1788Maria Antonia Ferdinanda of Spain · ESConsort1729 – 1785
Louis I of Spain“the Beloved”King of Spain1707 – 1724In their lifetime
Louis XIV of France“the Sun King”King of France and Navarre1638 – 1715
Louis XVI of FranceKing of France · Titular king of Navarre1754 – 1793
Louis, Grand Dauphin · ESPrince / Dauphin1661 – 1711
Philip V of Spain“the Spirited”King of Spain1683 – 1746Charles III of SpainKing of Spain1716 – 1788Ferdinand VI of Spain“the Learned”King of Spain1713 – 1759