14. Paris Had Numerous Slums Throughout the City
Paris in the 17th century was far too small for the number of residents that called the city home or at least called it a temporary resting place. The city was incredibly dense and overcrowded, particularly during the reign of Louis XIV as countless laborers fled rural areas seeking more stable employment. Due to Louis XIV’s focus on warfare and parties, and not much else, there was little employment available for the rural refugees within the city, so it’s no surprise many slums developed.
By far the largest and most notorious of the slums lay between the rue (street) de Caire and the rue Réamur in central Paris. This slum was called the Grand Court of Miracles or just Grand Court for short. Many new slums created a larger interconnected network called The Court of Miracles collectively.
Within this spider’s web of poverty and desperation sat the lavish Palace of Versailles, home of Louis XIV and many of his nobles. The palace was the home of many indulgent parties, meant to entertain and soothe his nobles after an uprising early in his reign. Ultimately it was believed that the city had at least a dozen slums and quite possibly more. This notion stands in stark opposition to the excesses of the reign of the Sun King.