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http://www.history.com/topics/louis-xiv/videos

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As soon as Luis assumed control of the government, He worked tirelessly to centralize and tighten control of France and its overseas colonies. In 1667 Luis declared a war against the Spanish Netherlands called the War of Devolution, the war lasted merely a year and ended in France retreating. This unsatisfactory outcome led to the Franco-Dutch War which lasted from 1672 to 1678, in which France acquired more territory in Flanders as well as the Franche-Compté. Although Luis was a very methodical and a perfectionist when it came to ruling France, he was also a very large fan of the arts and literature.  He surrounded himself with some of the greatest artistic and intellectual figures of his time, including the playwright Molière, the painter Charles Le Brun and the composer Jean-Baptiste Lully. He also appointed himself patron of the Académie Française (Academy of France), the institute that regulates the French language, and established various institutes for the arts and sciences.

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After Mazarin’s death in 1661, Louis XIV broke with tradition and astonished his court by declaring that he would rule without a chief minister. He declared himself as the direct representative of God, endowed with a divine right to wield the absolute power of the monarchy. To convince the public of his status and power, he cultivated the image of an omniscient and infallible god among men called the “Roi-Soleil” (“Sun King” in English) around whom the entire realm orbited. The people of France were in awe by his alleged power and responsibility, and made him the king of France soon after. Louis is often remembered for the bold and infamous statement “L’État, c’est moi” (“I am the State” in English).