In 1610 Louis XIII succeeded to the throne. Cardinal Richelieu became Louis' principal adviser in 1624 and from that time virtually ruled the country. Under Richelieu's direction, the king's power over his subjects was greatly increased, largely at the expense of the Huguenots and the nobility). Long-standing rivalry with the Hapsburgs, rulers of the Holy Roman Empire and of Spain, caused Richelieu to bring France into the Thirty Years' War in 1635. Richelieu died in 1642, but his policies were followed by his successor, Cardinal Mazarin. Victory over Austria established French supremacy in Europe.

Meanwhile, internal dissension over the increasing and arbitrary power of the government and the financial burdens of its policies led to a revolt, known as the Fronde, by some French nobles and the Parliament of Paris (1648--53). Suppression of the revolt by the crown led to the absolute rule of Louis XIV, who had succeeded to the throne in 1643. His reign, lasting until 1715, was called ``the Great Century.'' In this period, the French monarchy reached its peak of success and French influence and culture were at their highest level. Royal patronage aided the arts, and the monumental palace at Versailles was constructed as Louis XIV's main residence.

Following the death of Mazarin in 1661, Louis XIV assumed control of the government. The first 20 years of his personal reign were a period of great prosperity. Under the direction of his minister of finance, Jean Baptiste Colbert, trade and commerce were encouraged. Colonial expansion in North America included the acquisition of the lower Mississippi River region, called Louisiana. Military victories in Europe added Franche-Comté, a region bordering on Switzerland; a portion of the Spanish Netherlands; the greater part of Luxembourg; and Strasbourg.