The Sun King and the Grand Palace of Versailles
Long ago in France, a young boy named Louis XIV became king at just four years old. Because he was so young, his mother and advisors ruled for him at first. But as Louis grew up, he decided he wanted to rule France all by himself. He believed that his power came directly from God, and he chose the sun as his personal symbol. Just as the planets revolved around the sun, Louis believed all of France should revolve around him. For this reason, he became known as the "Sun King."
As a young ruler, Louis did not feel safe in the busy, crowded city of Paris. There had been rebellions when he was a child, and he wanted a place where he could rule without fear. He remembered a quiet forest about twelve miles outside of Paris where his father had built a simple brick-and-stone hunting lodge. This place was called Versailles. In 1661, Louis decided to transform this humble lodge into the grandest palace the world had ever seen.
- aqueduct:
- A giant pipe or channel built to bring water from a distant place to where it is needed.
- etiquette:
- Strict rules for polite behavior in a royal court or polite society.
- noble:
- A person of high rank or title in a society, often with wealth and power.
- rebellion:
- An organized fight or protest against a ruler, government, or leader.
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- 1How old was Louis XIV when he became the king of France?
- 2Why did Louis XIV choose the sun as his personal symbol?
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About this biography passage for Upper Elementary
“The Sun King and the Grand Palace of Versailles” is a biography reading passage about King Louis XIV and Versailles, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (471 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.