The Sun King
The early reign of Louis XIV was highly successful in both internal and foreign affairs. At home the parliaments lost their power to obstruct legislation.
His state established or developed academies for painting and sculpture, inscription, French artists in Rome, and science, followed by the Paris Observatory and the academies for architecture and music. The literary Academie Francaise also came under formal control. In Paris the Louvre was completed. In Versailles, his hunting lodge was transformed into a palace and park; he moved their permanently in 1682.
In foreign affairs, Louis XIV launched several wars claiming valuable land and taking revenge against the Dutch. he also seized both the cities Strasbourg and Casale in Northern Italy.
The turning point of his reign was when he tried to revoke the Protestant (Huguenot) minority's right to worship by the Edict of Fontainbleau. Many Huguenots left the country, taking with them considerable wealth and skills, which created economic trouble in France. In addition his displays of religious intolerance united the Protestants of Europe against him. Two descendants survived him, his grandson Philip V of Spain and a great-grandson who became Louis XV when Louis XIV dies on September 1, 1715.
Montmartre
Montmarte is the highest hill in Paris at 130 meters. Until a century ago it was very rural and is now the last village in the city of Paris .
The hill is topped by the white basilica Sacre-Coeur. Not far from there is the 12th century church Saint-Pierre de Mantmarte.
The Moulin de La Galette is the last windmill in the village and has inspired many of the artists.
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