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His first ministry was headed by Louis Henri, Duke of Bourbon, who was displaced by the king's tutor, Cardinal André de Fleury, in 1725, and on the latter's death in 1743, Louis assumed personal control of the government.  

His first ministry was headed by Louis Henri, Duke of Bourbon, who was displaced by the king's tutor, Cardinal André de Fleury, in 1725, and on the latter's death in 1743, Louis assumed personal control of the government.  

In practice the king's several mistresses exercised the dominant influence in selecting or removing his ministers of state. The most famous of Louis' mistresses were Marie Anne de Maillynesle, Duchess of Châteauroux; the Irish woman Louisa O'Murphy (1736-1815, mistress 1752-55)<ref> She was the daughter of an exiled Irish soldier, who after success as an artist's model became a mistress of King Louis XV from 1752 to 1755. The mother of at least two children fathered by the king, O'Murphy subsequently was married three times (twice to royal officials), became wealthy, and was imprisoned for two years during the French Revolution for her association with the monarchy. </ref>; Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour (called '''Madame de Pompadour''', the mistress from 1745 to her death in 1756); and Marie Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse du Barry.

In practice the king's several mistresses exercised the dominant influence in selecting or removing his ministers of state. The most famous of Louis' mistresses were Marie Anne de Maillynesle, Duchess of Châteauroux; the Irish woman Louisa O'Murphy (1736-1815, mistress 1752-55);<ref>She was the daughter of an exiled Irish soldier, who after success as an artist's model became a mistress of King Louis XV from 1752 to 1755. The mother of at least two children fathered by the king, O'Murphy subsequently was married three times (twice to royal officials), became wealthy, and was imprisoned for two years during the French Revolution for her association with the monarchy.</ref> Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour (called '''Madame de Pompadour''', the mistress from 1745 to her death in 1756); and Marie Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse du Barry.

The Triumvirate arose in 1771, when Louis XV banished the Duc de Choiseul (1719-85), Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1758, and reshuffled the cabinet. René Nicolas de Maupeou (1714-92) was appointed Chancellor of France and Minister of Justice, Joseph Marie Terray (1715-78) became Minister of Finance, and the Duc d' Aiguillon (1720-88), Minister for Foreign Affairs. They fought against the Parlements and had the judiciary run by the Council of State. Louis XVI restored the Parlements and removed the triumvirs from their posts.

The Triumvirate arose in 1771, when Louis XV banished the Duc de Choiseul (1719–85), Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1758, and reshuffled the cabinet. René Nicolas de Maupeou (1714–92) was appointed Chancellor of France and Minister of Justice, Joseph Marie Terray (1715–78) became Minister of Finance, and the Duc d' Aiguillon (1720–88), Minister for Foreign Affairs. They fought against the Parlements and had the judiciary run by the Council of State. Louis XVI restored the Parlements and removed the triumvirs from their posts.

Behind the splendor and glitter of 18th-century Versailles existed a contentious and dangerous hotbed of royal family politics. Throughout the second half of his reign, Louis XV experienced opposition and intrigue from his children, particularly his son Louis (the dauphin) and his eldest surviving daughter Adélaïde. Fortunately for the king, this intrigue of family politics took place within the environs of Versailles, an environment that was his to control. Louis XV was able to use this palatial space to oversee and counter his children's politics and intrigues. Louis XV communicated his satisfaction and displeasure within the transformations he made at Versailles.<ref> Kevin L. Justus, "Gilded Palace, Gilded Playpen: Louis XV's Use of Palatial Space to Control His Rebellious Children and Their Politics." ''Journal of Family History '' 1996 21(4): 470-495. Issn: 0363-1990 </ref>

Behind the splendor and glitter of 18th-century Versailles existed a contentious and dangerous hotbed of royal family politics. Throughout the second half of his reign, Louis XV experienced opposition and intrigue from his children, particularly his son Louis (the dauphin) and his eldest surviving daughter Adélaïde. Fortunately for the king, this intrigue of family politics took place within the environs of Versailles, an environment that was his to control. Louis XV was able to use this palatial space to oversee and counter his children's politics and intrigues. Louis XV communicated his satisfaction and displeasure within the transformations he made at Versailles.<ref>Kevin L. Justus, "Gilded Palace, Gilded Playpen: Louis XV's Use of Palatial Space to Control His Rebellious Children and Their Politics." ''Journal of Family History '' 1996 21(4): 470-495. Issn: 0363-1990</ref>

==Foreign policy==

==Foreign policy==

==Image and public opinion==

==Image and public opinion==

Edme Bouchardon's equestrian statue of Louis XV was originally conceived to commemorate the monarch's victorious role in the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48) and artistically executed to display a benign representation of the king as peacemaker. However it was, ironically, unveiled in 1763 following France's defeat in the Seven Years War. Bouchardon's work designed to be a powerful symbol of loyalty to the king became the centerpiece of a public relations event staged to restore public confidence in a monarchy in decline using art as propaganda on a grand scale.<ref>Stephen Rombouts, "Art as Propaganda in Eighteenth-century France: the Paradox of Edme Bouchardon's Louis XV". ''Eighteenth-century Studies'' 1993-1994 27(2): 255-282. Issn: 0013-2586 Fulltext: [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0013-2586(199324%2F199424)27%3A2%3C255%3AAAPIEF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-N in Jstor] </ref>

Edme Bouchardon's equestrian statue of Louis XV was originally conceived to commemorate the monarch's victorious role in the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–48) and artistically executed to display a benign representation of the king as peacemaker. However it was, ironically, unveiled in 1763 following France's defeat in the Seven Years War. Bouchardon's work designed to be a powerful symbol of loyalty to the king became the centerpiece of a public relations event staged to restore public confidence in a monarchy in decline using art as propaganda on a grand scale.<ref>Stephen Rombouts, "Art as Propaganda in Eighteenth-century France: the Paradox of Edme Bouchardon's Louis XV". ''Eighteenth-century Studies'' 1993-1994 27(2): 255-282. Issn: 0013-2586 Fulltext: [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0013-2586(199324%2F199424)27%3A2%3C255%3AAAPIEF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-N in Jstor]</ref>

Louis was unequal to the high expectations of his subjects. Contemporary songs, poems, and public declarations looked for a king who was absolute "master," unblemished "Christian," and benevolent provider ("baker"). Young Louis's failings were attributed to inexperience and manipulation by unscrupulous handlers. As his troubled reign progressed, his debauched private life was revealed and famine repeatedly battered France; the people withdrew their respect, reviled the sycophant king, and ultimately celebrated his demise. The institution of monarchy was intact, but Louis XV saddled his successor with a damaging legacy of popular discontent.<ref>Kenneth N. Jassie, "We Don't Have a King: Popular Protest and the Image of the Illegitimate King in the Reign of Louis XV". ''Consortium on Revolutionary Europe 1750-1850: Proceedings'' 1994 23: 211-219. Issn: 0093-2574 </ref>

Louis was unequal to the high expectations of his subjects. Contemporary songs, poems, and public declarations looked for a king who was absolute "master," unblemished "Christian," and benevolent provider ("baker"). Young Louis's failings were attributed to inexperience and manipulation by unscrupulous handlers. As his troubled reign progressed, his debauched private life was revealed and famine repeatedly battered France; the people withdrew their respect, reviled the sycophant king, and ultimately celebrated his demise. The institution of monarchy was intact, but Louis XV saddled his successor with a damaging legacy of popular discontent.<ref>Kenneth N. Jassie, "We Don't Have a King: Popular Protest and the Image of the Illegitimate King in the Reign of Louis XV". ''Consortium on Revolutionary Europe 1750-1850: Proceedings'' 1994 23: 211-219. Issn: 0093-2574</ref>

The many sermons on his death in 1774 praised the monarch and went out of its way to excuse his faults. But those ecclesiastics who not only raised their eyebrows over the sins of the Beloved but also expressed doubts about his policies reflected the corporate attitude of the First Estate more accurately. They hoped his successor would restore morals and serve the will of God, which they claimed the role of interpreting.<ref> Jeffrey Merrick, "Politics in the Pulpit: Ecclesiastical Discourse on the Death of Louis XV." ''History of European Ideas'' 1986 7(2): 149-160. Issn: 0191-6599 </ref>

The many sermons on his death in 1774 praised the monarch and went out of its way to excuse his faults. But those ecclesiastics who not only raised their eyebrows over the sins of the Beloved but also expressed doubts about his policies reflected the corporate attitude of the First Estate more accurately. They hoped his successor would restore morals and serve the will of God, which they claimed the role of interpreting.<ref>Jeffrey Merrick, "Politics in the Pulpit: Ecclesiastical Discourse on the Death of Louis XV." ''History of European Ideas'' 1986 7(2): 149-160. Issn: 0191-6599</ref>

The financial strain imposed by these wars and by the excesses of the royal court, and the consequent dissatisfaction with the monarchy, contributed to the national unrest which culminated in the [[French Revolution]] of 1789. Louis died at Versailles on May 10, 1774.

The financial strain imposed by these wars and by the excesses of the royal court, and the consequent dissatisfaction with the monarchy, contributed to the national unrest which culminated in the [[French Revolution]] of 1789. Louis died at Versailles on May 10, 1774.