The life and loves of France's most famous king, Louis XIV. Dubbed the Sun King by his admiring court, Louis conquered half of Europe, conducted dozens of love affairs and dazzled his contemporaries with his lavish entertainments. But perhaps his greatest achievement - and certainly his longest lasting love - was the incredible palace he built at Versailles, one of the wonders of the world.

As a military leader, Louis XV, was popular and successful, but he led France into the disastrous Seven Year War with Britain. As his Empire dwindled, Louis amused himself with scandalous love affairs, his own private brothel and bedded five sisters from the same aristocratic family. This is a florid and hugely enjoyable saga of sex, war, torture, gluttony, and some truly astonishing wigs.