Who Was Louis XIV, The Aromatic Monarch Who Shunned Baths In Favour of Perfume

Louis XIV of France, known for his illustrious rule from 1643 to 1715, stands as one of history’s greatest monarchs. But a recently revealed detail from his life has piqued people’s interest in him. Despite his extensive reign and notable achievements, Louis XIV reportedly had an unusual aversion to water. He took a bath merely three times in his entire life. To address any potential odour concerns, the king regularly used perfume. These distinctive details offer a glimpse into the life of this extraordinary ruler.

Born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1638, Louis XIV, widely known as the Sun King, ascended to the throne at the age of four following the demise of his father, Louis XIII, due to TB. During the initial years of his rule, he appointed Cardinal Mazarin as Chief Minister to oversee the administration. The early reign of Louis XIV saw numerous rebellions that instilled fear in the young monarch.

In 1660, he got married to Maria Theresa, the daughter of Philip IV of Spain. Apart from his regal duties, Louis XIV had a profound passion for ballet, earning him a reputation as a professional ballet dancer. According to a BBC report, his Sun King title was derived from his declaration of the Sun as his symbol, suggesting that, much like the planets orbiting the Sun, the entire nation of France revolved around him.

Assuming the throne at 23 after Cardinal Mazarin’s death, Louis XIV, known for his unwavering faith in God, decided to rule independently without a chief minister. Declaring himself an absolute emperor, he asserted that the power to rule was directly bestowed by God. After the demise of his father-in-law, he also claimed the Spanish Netherlands. Notably allowing religious worship, Louis XIV is credited with the construction of the Grand Palace of Versailles in France.

Louis XIV’s aversion to bathing stemmed from his belief that water could spread disease, as reported by perfumesociety.org. He held the notion that bathing less would contribute to safety. Despite his personal preferences, Louis XIV took measures to maintain a fragrant ambience within the Palace of Versailles.”

The perfume was consistently sprayed throughout the day, and bowls filled with flower petals adorned the palace to enhance its aromatic ambience. Visitors to the palace were also treated to perfume sprays, leading to the palace earning the moniker The Perfumed Court. The gold-decorated salon in the French court exuded a captivating fragrance that fascinated those in attendance.