1638-1715
Louis XIV, son of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria, was crowned King of France on 7 June 1654 in Reims. He married Maria Theresa of Austria on 9 June 1660. He was the very symbol of absolutism, and with the help of his ministers he extended the kingdom and developed trade and industry. The King took an interest in Maintenon and in 1676 sent his gardener, Le Nôtre, to draw up plans for the grounds.
After his marriage to Madame de Maintenon in 1683, Louis XIV instigated major work at the château. In 1686, Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Jean-Pierre Le Maistre were put in charge of the extension work, particularly the north wing so that the château could be linked to St. Nicolas Church for the King to attend mass. In 1688, the King gave the estate of Maintenon the title of marquisat-pairie. He died in Versailles in 1715 at the age of 77.