Louis XVI of France
The last king of France under the Ancien Régime. The financial crisis and the summoning of the Estates-General led to the French Revolution, which ended the monarchy and brought about his execution.
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 23 August 1754 Documented
Death: 21 January 1793 Documented
Role: King of France · Titular king of Navarre
Dynasty: Bourbon · ES
Territories: France (ES) · Navarre (ES)
Recorded relationships
Their titles over time
Follow the changing territories and offices of Louis XVI of France. Each title retains its own status.
Governments in 1774
- FranceKing
View titles and jurisdictions
- France · ESKing · Effective rule1774–1792
Nominal and disputed titles (1)
- Navarre · ESKing · Titular1774–1791 · 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 XVI., Frankreich, König
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
7 recorded claims · 3 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
23 August 1754
The authority record gives the birth as 1754-08-23. - DeathDocumented
21 January 1793
The authority record gives the death as 1793-01-21.
Family and relationships (2/3 with a precise source)
- FatherPending review
Louis, Dauphin of France
A precise source has not yet been added. - MotherDocumented
Maria Josepha of Saxony
The authority record identifies Maria Josepha of Saxony (GND 119447568) as mother. - Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Marie Antoinette of Austria
The authority record identifies Marie Antoinette of Austria (GND 118577905) as spouse.
Governments (0/2 with a precise source)
- GovernmentPending review
King · France · 1774–1792
A precise source has not yet been added.
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 XVI of France
Family
Louis, Dauphin of France · ESPrince / Dauphin1729 – 1765Maria Josepha of Saxony · ESConsort / Dauphine1731 – 1767
Marie Antoinette of Austria · ESConsort1755 – 1793Same dynasty
Maria Luisa of Spain · ESConsort1745 – 1792Clotilde of France · ESConsort1759 – 1802
Charles IV of SpainKing of Spain1748 – 1819Ferdinand IV of Naples · ESKing1751 – 1825Maria Antonia Ferdinanda of Spain · ESConsort1729 – 1785
Charles III of SpainKing of Spain1716 – 1788In their lifetime
Louis XV of France“the Beloved”King of France · Titular king of Navarre1710 – 1774Charles III of SpainKing of Spain1716 – 1788Charles IV of SpainKing of Spain1748 – 1819
Ferdinand VI of Spain“the Learned”King of Spain1713 – 1759Marie Leszczyńska · ESConsort1703 – 1768Désirée Clary · ESConsort1777 – 1860