At the age of five, Louis XV becomes king of France in succession to his great-grandfather, King Louis XIV.

Louis XV, often called Louis the Beloved, was King of France from 1715 until his death in 1774. He ascended to the throne at the age of five after the death of his great-grandfather, Louis XIV, with a regency headed by Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, until he came of age. His early reign was marked by stability and optimism, as many hoped he would avoid the absolutist excesses of his predecessor. However, once he took personal control of the government in 1723, his rule became more complex, balancing between reformist impulses and traditional monarchical authority.

During his reign, France was deeply involved in European conflicts, including the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748) and the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763). While Louis XV initially enjoyed some military successes, France ultimately suffered devastating defeats, losing territories in North America and India. These failures greatly weakened France’s international position and tarnished the king’s reputation. Despite this, Louis XV maintained a strong administrative structure at home, relying on able ministers to manage the complexities of government and finance.

Culturally, Louis XV presided over a vibrant period of the French Enlightenment, with figures like Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Diderot producing works that questioned authority and shaped intellectual life. Yet, his personal life, especially his reliance on influential mistresses like Madame de Pompadour, attracted criticism and scandal. By the end of his reign, his popularity had declined sharply; once celebrated as le Bien-Aimé, he died largely unloved, leaving his successor, Louis XVI, with a kingdom beset by financial strain and growing unrest that would culminate in the French Revolution.