Louis XV ascended the French throne as a child and ruled for over 50 years. Though less politically adept than his great-grandfather, he achieved some successes, including territorial expansions and alliances. Influenced by his mistress, Madame de Pompadour, he attempted reforms but suffered setbacks like the Treaty of Paris. His grandson, Louis XVI, inherited a kingdom nearing revolution.

Louis XV, the great-grandson and successor of Louis XIV, ascended to the French throne at the tender age of five following the death of his great-grandfather in 1715. Due to his young age, a regency was established, with Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, acting as the primary regent until Louis XV reached the age of maturity and could assume full control of the monarchy. This early period of his reign was dominated by the actions of his regents, who dealt with the complex political landscape of post-Louis XIV France.

Unlike his great-grandfather, who was known for his centralized control and absolute monarchy, Louis XV seemed somewhat disinterested in the political intricacies of governance. He lacked the drive and skill that characterized Louis XIV’s reign. Louis XV’s political involvement was inconsistent, and he did not engage with military matters to the extent expected of a king. He was not a dedicated soldier and grew to harbor a dislike for war and its destructive consequences, a sentiment that would later shape his foreign policies. The king’s reign saw periods of peace but also instances where he was unable to avoid warfare, such as the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years’ War.

One of the more influential figures during Louis XV’s reign was his famous mistress, Madame de Pompadour. Her relationship with Louis was not merely personal but had political consequences as well. Madame de Pompadour was deeply involved in the cultural and intellectual circles of the Enlightenment and maintained close ties with figures such as Voltaire. Through her influence, Louis XV was persuaded to consider certain reform measures and policies aligned with the progressive ideals of the time, even though Louis himself had conservative leanings. Her impact on the king’s decisions, particularly in the realm of foreign policy and the arts, left a lasting mark on his reign.

Throughout his reign, Louis XV had some significant achievements. In 1761, he secured an alliance with Spain, which would play a key role in France’s geopolitical positioning. He also rebuilt the French navy, which had deteriorated after Louis XIV’s death. Additionally, the conquest of Corsica and the merging of Lorraine into France were notable territorial expansions that occurred under his rule.

However, Louis XV’s reign also had its notable failures. One of the most significant setbacks was the Treaty of Paris in 1763, which concluded the Seven Years’ War. As part of the treaty, France ceded vast colonial territories, including its claims to India and much of its holdings in North America, to Britain, which was quickly becoming France’s most powerful rival.

After the deaths of both Madame de Pompadour and Louis’ eldest son, the heir to the throne, Louis XV turned to another mistress, Madame du Barry. His grandson, Louis XVI, was named the dauphin and married Marie Antoinette, the daughter of Maria Theresa, the Holy Roman Empress, further securing alliances for France.

In his later years, Louis XV’s reign became more peaceful, but the seeds of unrest were already being sown. Although Louis XV avoided major domestic upheaval, his rule failed to address growing economic and political tensions. This burden would ultimately fall on his grandson, Louis XVI, who inherited a kingdom on the verge of revolution just 15 years after Louis XV’s death in 1774.