There are many fascinating facts about France, including that it had a population around 19 million people in 1700. The country was also benefiting politically from Spain’s decline, and similar to other European countries, most of the common people within France were illiterate. In 1715, Louis XIV died, and his 5-year-old grandson, Louis XV, assumed power. Around this same time intellectuals began to embrace a philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas throughout Europe and came to be known as the Enlightenment. However, there are many other interesting facts about France during the 1700s.