'Louis XIV. Roi de France', King Louis XIV of France, (c1820s). Although Louis (1638-1715) inherited the French crown in 1643, he did not actually take the reigns of power until the death of his Chief Minister, Cardinal Mazarin, in 1661. Known as the 'Sun King', Louis was the epitome of the absolute monarch. He was on the throne for 72 years, longer than any other major European ruler. His reign saw a flowering of the arts and architecture in France, as well as a growth of French economic and military power.