Louis XIV and the Birth of Ballet

Explore how Louis XIV's passion for ballet shaped its history and legacy.

Intermediate

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Louis XIV was a king of France who loved dancing. He was born in 1638 and became king when he was only four years old. Louis XIV started learning ballet when he was very young. Ballet was a new form of dance at that time. As he grew up, he wanted everyone in his court to learn it, too. He believed ballet made people more elegant. Therefore, Louis made ballet a big part of royal life.