This book examines Louis XIV at Versailles--from the moment he decided to transform his father's hunting lodge into the greatest palace in Europe to his death there 54 years later.

The house -- The builders -- The Mortemarts -- The envelope -- The governess -- Poison -- A city of the rich -- The Grand Dauphin -- The Queen's staircase -- The young generation -- The new regime -- The faculty -- Saint-Cyr, the school -- Saint-Cyr, the convent -- Lord Portland's embassy -- The turn of the century -- Mourning -- Martial noises off -- Three in eleven months.