Louis XIV et Marie Mancini d'après de nouveaux documents

This volume opens a fresh window on one of the most intriguing love affairs of the Sun King, revealing how his passion for Marie Mancini—niece of Cardinal Mazarin—almost reshaped the diplomatic landscape of 17th‑century Europe. Drawing on recently unearthed letters, diplomatic reports, and court memoirs, the author reconstructs the early stages of the romance, when the king was still a teenager under the watchful eye of his chief minister.

The narrative weaves together Voltaire’s contemporary observations, the competing marriage proposals to the Princess of Savoy and the Infanta of Spain, and the delicate balance of power that the royal court sought to maintain. By juxtaposing personal sentiment with political calculation, the study shows how a private attachment could ripple through treaties, alliances, and even theatrical productions of the era.

Written with a scholar’s rigor yet an engaging literary flair, the book invites listeners to hear the voices of a court caught between desire and duty. It offers a vivid portrait of youthful love, ambition, and the intricate choreography of monarchical politics.