Who was the architect of the French absolutism?

The architect of French absolutism was Cardinal Richelieu, who served as chief minister to King Louis XIII from 1624 until his death in 1642. He centralized power by curbing the influence of the nobility and strengthening the authority of the monarchy. Richelieu's policies laid the groundwork for the absolute rule that characterized the reign of Louis XIV, known as the "Sun King." His administrative reforms and diplomatic strategies significantly shaped the trajectory of France as a dominant European power.