Postcard: Bourbon

There was a time in my life when I knew all of the French kings from Charlemagne down to Napoleon III. While 1000 years of French monarchs may be fun for a round of Final Jeopardy or as cocktail punditry, it's not particularly useful for everyday. However, I still find it fascinating. As we celebrate Bastille Day, I thought I'd share this odd little postcard I purchased at the Louvre, which details the beginning and end of the Bourbon line. Between Charlemagne and Napoleon III, the most important kings are here in this lineage: Henry IV, Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louix XVI.

Prior to Henry IV, "the most beloved king of France" - always depicted with a smile and short beard, the line was from the Valois dynasty, which included the crazy progeny of Catherine de Medici. (See the film Queen Margot for a deliciously juicy depiction of that family dysfunction.)

I thought it would be fun to show the proverbial "end of the line" on this day. Althought Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette did not meet Madame Guillotine until much later, July 14th is commonly known as the beginning of the French Revolution which led to the end of the monarchy.

At least until Napoleon declared himself Emperor, but that's another story entirely... Bonne fete everyone!

Comments

[Enterrement de vie de jeune fille Paris]

C'est incroyable tu en connait plus qu'un bon nombre de français sur leurs rois et leur propre pays.
Congrattulation.
Lilou