Le Bals de la ReineWords by Stphane Castelluccio This book is devoted to the Queen's balls at the French Court, which date back to the 17th century. It was up to the sovereign to liven up Court life with circles, concerts and balls, particularly during Carnival. In the event of the sovereign's death, the dauphine took on this role, as did the Duchess of Burgundy at the Court of Louis XIV from 1700 to 1712, the year of his death. This tradition seems to have disappeared