His Majesty King Francis I: France’s Charismatic Renaissance Monarch and Patron of the Arts

Unlike many other monarchs who preceded him, His Majesty King Francis I humbled himself by mingling with commoners who had never seen a king before. He traveled all year round, familiarizing himself with the needs of the people. He released prisoners who were wrongfully convicted and was always courteous and generous to his subjects. Moreover, during his reign as King Francis I, a cultural rebirth and awakening took place in France. Due to his extraordinary support and promotion of literature and arts, His Majesty King Francis I is often referred to as France’s original “Renaissance Monarch.”