Today, water is essential to a healthy lifestyle, but this was not the case in the 15th century. Several reasons explain this difference in perception during that era: zero knowledge about waterborne bacteria, no credible products for properly treating water, and a near-total absence of hydraulic science experts. For all these reasons, the 64th King of France chose to wash with fountain water only twice throughout his 72-year reign.
The Sun King, or Louis XIV: Discover Everything You Need to Know About This Famous French Monarch!
Born on September 5, 1638, at the Château Neuf de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Louis XIV—known as “the Great” or “the Sun King”—was nicknamed “Dieudonné” (“God-given”). He ascended to his father Louis XIII’s throne at just four and a half years old, making him one of the youngest monarchs in French history. Under the guidance of his mother, Anne of Austria, and his godfather, Cardinal Mazarin, he received all the foundational education necessary to later become one of France’s greatest kings. During his reign, he was recognized as the 64th King of France, the 44th King of Navarre, and the third French monarch from the House of Bourbon. Louis XIV is also renowned for installing running water and an abundance of fountains at Versailles—hence the paradox of a king who scarcely ever took a water bath throughout his entire reign.
Louis XIV and His Relationship with Water: What Should We Remember?
Answers come from many directions. According to multiple historical sources, water was considered a vector of disease at that time—to such an extent that even in the Netherlands, light beer was commonly consumed as a substitute for water. In other regions during the same period, wine served this purpose instead. For these sources, this was neither hydrophobia nor aquaphobia in the clinical sense; rather, it was a simple, rational fear of water stemming from insufficient knowledge about waterborne bacteria and viruses. In this regard, several sources even indicate that the discovery of viruses and bacteria occurred between the 17th and 18th centuries.
Additional Sources on the King’s Hygiene Practices
Other historical accounts also emphasize the severe lack of hygiene standards during the 15th through 18th centuries. General sanitation was deplorable, and the air itself was often foul due to poorly managed waste disposal systems. Given all this information, we can better understand King Louis’s motivation to avoid washing with water for fear of infection. Moreover, since medical science at the time was not sufficiently advanced to treat bacterial illnesses, Louis XIV preferred to use alternative, more reassuring methods for his personal grooming.
Can We Accurately State That Louis XIV Bathed Daily?
To this question, the answer is yes! King Louis XIV did engage in regular bathing routines. However, his method involved cloths soaked in alcohol and perfume: the King was cleansed each morning upon waking and each evening before bed. This form of grooming was known as a “dry toilet” (toilette sèche), performed without water. Indeed, perfume was the most frequently used element during each of the King’s cleansing rituals. The objective was to smell fragrant and appear clean, particularly on externally visible parts of the body. Additionally, clothing was changed regularly because Louis XIV was known for excessive perspiration. On an average day, the King changed his garments more than five times. He wore only white shirts to maintain an appearance of impeccable cleanliness. Regarding oral hygiene, Louis XIV brushed his teeth with a mixture of herbs such as anise, cinnamon, and rosemary to ensure fresher breath.
So, How Many Times Did Louis XIV Actually Bathe with Water?
King Louis XIV virtually never took a bath with water. Such baths occurred only under medical prescription. Otherwise, throughout the King’s life, his cleansing routine consisted exclusively of dry baths without water, using alcohol and perfume. Water was introduced into the King’s bathing practice solely following a physician’s recommendation to treat specific ailments. This is why, across his entire reign, the King took only two baths with water.
