Histoire de la vie et de l'administration de Colbert

This work offers a close‑up portrait of one of France’s most influential 17th‑century ministers, tracing his journey from modest beginnings in Lyon to the inner circle of Louis XIV. It follows his early appointments with merchants, his service under the royal treasurer, and the pivotal missions that launched his rise to the helm of finance and the navy.

The narrative examines Colbert’s sweeping reforms: cutting traditional taxes, establishing a new court of justice, and confronting famine by directing grain supplies to Paris. It also details his relentless negotiations with the Dutch, the creation and struggles of the early French trading companies, and his efforts to standardize customs duties—all while juggling the king’s patronage of the arts and the welfare of the poor.

Interwoven with letters, official papers and previously unpublished documents, the study gives listeners a vivid sense of the political and economic challenges of the era. The primary sources enrich the story, revealing the practical concerns and personal convictions that shaped Colbert’s legacy.