France, 1667. Proud young Louis XIV seeks to stamp his authority on court and country but faces resistance and betrayal, even from those closest to him. Shifting the seat of power to a luxurious rural 'lodge' that he plans to enlarge only adds to his problems.
Harsh steps must be taken to preserve the royal reputation, while flamboyant Philippe causes a stir of his own. The king hopes that humiliating a suspect noble will bring others to heel.
Continuing the lavish drama of infidelities and intrigues at the court of Louis XIV.
Travellers to the rural palace are vulnerable targets when a dissident duke tries to pressure Louis to return the royal court to Paris, while a rich African prince suffers a curiously restrained reception.
Seductive young ladies vie to attract the king's eye at court, where behind the scenes there is bloody business being conducted and investigated. Philippe's new-found fame as a warrior threatens to eclipse Louis as the war reaches a turning point.
Violence and venality combine in another spectacular chapter of the hit French series.
Philippe returns from war a changed man, and Louis prepares for a lavish celebration in the palace gardens. The still-base appetites of dissident duke Cassel must be pandered to by Madame de Montespan.
Sacrifices are required from the conflicted characters in this instalment of the lush historical drama.
A protest halts construction at the palace but Louis refuses to let Philippe help and matters escalate, allowing plotters to pose a genuine threat to the young king's rule.
Things get physical as infidelity and treason take their toll in the decadent drama.
With Louis laid low by a major fever, those conspiring against him grow in strength and confidence while Philippe is caught in the middle, as are medic Masson and his daughter Claudine.
Continuing the lavish drama of treacherous intrigues at the court of King Louis XIV.
While Louis proposes an audacious alliance with England, and an unexpected envoy to negotiate it, normally brazen Béatrice fears revelation of her secrets.
The 'palace of dreams' is home to murderous schemes as the extravagant drama continues.
The traitor strikes in the palace prison, Henriette has a rocky reunion with her brother, Charles II of England, while Beatrice risks a rendezvous with Marchal.
Diplomacy and duplicity dominate the drama's penultimate episode.
A poisoning leaves a coveted position open, the king's pregnant mistress Madame de Montespan wields her influence, and Philippe's exiled lover returns.
Louis welcomes a defeated royal relative to the palace, but with unforeseen personal consequences. Philippe stumbles upon a mystery man. Madame de Montespan finds how to hurt a former friend, the King's prim companion Francois de Maintenon.
Little can be taken at face value as Louis negotiates with Leopold over Spain, the Bastille governor has a sorry tale for Philippe and Sophie surprises Marchal.
A betrayal by one of the women closest to the king has unforeseen consequences, while a graphic revelation results in a fall from grace for another. Philippe gets dangerously close to the mystery prisoner. Reprisals against the protesters in Paris place Fabien Marchal in peril.
Seeking retribution, Louis lashes out at the Parisian rebels though Philippe urges a more reasoned response. Word from Spain casts doubt on Marie-Therese's intentions. Sophie's loyalties are tested.
Can Louis' longed-for loving touch help the ailing queen? An engraved blade holds a clue to who Philippe has antagonised. Jeanne challenges her brother's business-minded betrayal.
Louis hopes diplomacy will hide his duplicity as he works to undermine Leopold while winning over severe cardinal Leto. Marchal helps Philippe learn a family secret, and is troubled by a command from the king.
Has Louis finally learnt the identity of the man in the iron mask? Cardinal Leto is still determined to use his knowledge against the king. Fabien Marchal is in pursuit of fugitive Sophie and the young woman he must kill.
His resolve reinforced, Louis is dismissive of the pain his plans will cause others, be they Philippe or Protestants of all classes. Cardinal Leto is confident of making the king marry Isabella of Portugal.
Looking to the future, King Louis XIV seeks to reconnect with his people, and reconcile his family. As some oppressed Parisians plan a violent welcome for Louis, has one of his friends become a foe?
