Mercure Galant: Louis XIV Travels to Luxembourg

Esteemed Readers, I would like to share with you some curious news about Louis XIV’s journey happened in June 1687. “Mercure Galant” published a special edition dedicated to this solemn event, so I will post some pretty curious extracts.

“The journey was arranged on the 10th of May, however Madame la Duchesse (Louis-Françoise de Bourbon) suddenly had measles infection, so it made the King postpone the trip to the 10th of the given month. This very day, after having gone to the Mass in the Palace of Versailles, the King departed with all the persons of honour & his army…The number of those who were obliged to make this Journey was huge: Troops of the Royal House; a great part of Regiments of Guards,Gendarmes & Light Horse with some regiments of Bodyguards…

As the King had to pass Paris, People, longing for beholding him, had occupied all the places on his way since dawn & prepared to wait for him for long hours not to miss a chance to wish him good health & a happy trip with their exclamations. The Religious had also left their monasteries & convents, while most windows were filled with people of dignity. The King had always attracted hearts not by his rank but by his perfect manners. He greeted almost any Lady he saw in the windows. His Majesty passed the Place of Victory where Messire Duke de la Feuillade & M. le Prevost of the Merchants were expecting him with other people of the first rank. (Louis XIV had to inspect some construction works there). His Majesty seemed to be very contented & suggested that they had to continue the design they had begun…” To be continued.

Vive le Roy! 🙂

Maria KethuProfumo