In 1661, Fouquet invited the young French king, Louis XIV, to a party at his magnificent chateau on the outskirts of Paris, Vaux le Vicomte. Fouquet proudly displayed his grounds (dotted with more ...

(Photo: Thorn Mulli) In 1661, Nicolas Fouquet, finance minister to the capricious French king Louis XIV, threw a lavish banquet at inauguration of his chateau which was deemed the greatest in France.