On August 26, 1660, Louis XIV made a triumphal entry into Paris with his wife, Marie-Therese. The royal couple took their places...

Louis XIV wasn't just a ceremonial king who represents the kingdom, but makes no decisions of his own... His regime was considered an absolute monarchy, and Louis XIV was the sole master. No opposition force or elected chamber could stand in his way or challenge his decision.

But he was in no way a capricious tyrant who arbitrarily terrorized defenseless subjects. Convinced of the greatness of France, then the dominant power on the international scene, the Sun King respected inherited tradition, watched over his subjects like a good father, and felt a concern for everything related to his kingdom, including New France - at least early in his reign.