Le Grand Dauphin : Fils de roi, père de roi et jamais roi

Exhibition at the Palace of Versailles, 14 October 2025 - 15 February 2026

The son of Louis XIV and Marie-Thérèse, Louis de France (1661–1711) was known during his lifetime as Monseigneur and, after his death, as the Grand Dauphin. The Duke of Saint-Simon summed up the prince's life with these succinct and accurate words: ‘Son of a king, father of a king, but never king himself.’

Destined to reign on the most powerful throne in Europe, the Dauphin received a careful and modern education and played a prominent role in court life, particularly at Versailles. From his marriage to a Bavarian princess, he had three sons, the youngest of whom, the Duke of Anjou, became King of Spain under the name Philip V.

Having died before Louis XIV, Monseigneur never became king. However, his taste for music and hunting, his fabulous collections and the splendour of his estate in Meudon made him the ideal prince. Beyond his political obligations, the Grand Dauphin also developed a keen interest in the arts and the pleasures of court life. A great collector, he amassed numerous works of art.
This exhibition catalogue sheds light on this little-known but nevertheless important figure of the Grand Siècle, recounting his life, status and role as a patron of the arts. Through nearly 250 works from French and international collections, including an exceptional loan from the Prado Museum, and thanks to the contribution of leading specialists, this beautifully illustrated book traces the life of the Grand Dauphin.