Louis XIV became King of France at the age of 5 and, assumed power at the age of 23. He ruled as an absolute despot until the end of his life. Much of his energy, and his country's, was wasted in foreign wars but he was a great patron of the arts and one of the greatest patrons garden design has ever had. Andre Le Notre felt honoured by his friendship. Louis XIV was the centre of what is regarded as the Augustan Age of France.
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