Grand Siècle (French pronunciation:[ɡʁɑ̃sjɛkl]) orGreat Century refers to the period ofFrench history during the 17th century, under the reigns ofLouis XIII andLouis XIV.[2]
The period was notable for its development ofart andliterature, along with the construction of thePalace of Versailles, the effects of theFrench Wars of Religion, and the impacts of theThirty Years' War.[2][3] Significant figures during this period include gardenerAndré Le Nôtre, architectFrançois Mansart, painterNicolas Poussin, painterPhilippe de Champaigne, painterCharles Le Brun, playwrightMolière, poetJean de La Fontaine, playwrightJean Racine, playwrightPierre Corneille, writerCharles Perrault,[4] composersHenri Dumont,Jean-Baptiste Lully,Marc-Antoine Charpentier,Michel Richard Delalande,André Campra,Henri Desmarest,Marin Marais andFrançois Couperin, philosophersRené Descartes,Blaise Pascal,Antoine Arnauld and thePort-Royal,Nicolas Malebranche,Pierre Gassendi,La Rochefoucauld,La Bruyere, andPierre Bayle.[2]
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