The Bourbon Family Tree Across France and Spain

The Bourbon Family Tree Across France and Spain

The House of Bourbon is one of Europe’s most enduring royal dynasties. It rose to power in France in the late sixteenth century and later established a lasting branch on the Spanish throne. Today the Spanish Bourbons remain the reigning royal family of Spain. This guide explains the main lines of the Bourbon family tree across both countries in clear, simple terms.

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Origins of the Bourbons

The Bourbons began as a junior branch of the Capetian dynasty, the long-ruling royal house of France. Their name comes from the lordship of Bourbon in central France. Through careful marriages and royal favour they rose in importance until, in 1589, Henry of Navarre became King Henry IV of France — the first Bourbon king.

Henry IV’s accession ended the Valois line and began more than two centuries of Bourbon rule in France.

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Simplified Main Family Tree

The following diagram shows the core French line and the point at which the Spanish branch was created:

Henry IV of France (1553–1610)
└── Louis XIII (1601–1643)
└── Louis XIV, the Sun King (1638–1715)
├── Louis, Grand Dauphin (1661–1711)
│   ├── Louis, Duke of Burgundy (1682–1712)
│   │   └── Louis XV of France (1710–1774)
│   │       └── Louis XVI of France (1754–1793)
│   │           (French Revolution – monarchy abolished)
│   └── Philip V of Spain (1683–1746)   ← Founder of Spanish Bourbons
│       └── Spanish line continues
│           └── ... → King Felipe VI of Spain (b. 1968)
└── (other children)

This outline highlights the direct connection between the great French kings and the Spanish royal house that still exists today.

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The French Bourbons

The French Bourbon kings include some of the most famous rulers in European history:

King	Reign	Significance
Henry IV	1589–1610	First Bourbon king; restored stability
Louis XIII	1610–1643	Strengthened royal authority
Louis XIV	1643–1715	Peak of absolute monarchy; built Versailles
Louis XV	1715–1774	Long reign; growing financial and political problems
Louis XVI	1774–1792	Reign ended by the French Revolution

After the Revolution the monarchy was restored for a time. Louis XVIII and Charles X (brothers of Louis XVI) returned to the throne. In 1830 the elder Bourbon line was replaced by the Orléans branch under Louis-Philippe. The French monarchy finally ended in 1848.

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The Spanish Bourbons

The Spanish branch began with the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714). Charles II of Spain, the last Spanish Habsburg, died childless. He left his throne to Philip, Duke of Anjou — a grandson of Louis XIV. Philip became Philip V of Spain, the first Bourbon king of Spain.

Despite wars and political upheavals, the Spanish Bourbons have remained on the throne for most of the period since 1700. The present king, Felipe VI, is a direct descendant of Philip V.

Key points about the Spanish line:

• Founded by Philip V (grandson of Louis XIV)
• Survived the Napoleonic period, republics, and civil war
• Restored after the death of Franco
• Continues today under King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia

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Other Bourbon Branches

In addition to France and Spain, Bourbon lines once ruled in Naples and Sicily (the Two Sicilies) and in the Duchy of Parma. These branches are now non-reigning but still exist as noble families. The main historical importance of the dynasty, however, lies in the French and Spanish thrones.

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Why the Bourbon Tree Matters

The Bourbon family tree shows how a single dynasty could rule two major European kingdoms and influence the continent for centuries. It also illustrates the power of dynastic marriage and inheritance: a French prince became the founder of Spain’s current royal house.

For anyone interested in genealogy, the Bourbons offer a clear example of how carefully recorded names, marriages, and successions allow a complex family story to remain understandable across hundreds of years.

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Recording Your Own Family History

Royal trees are unusually well documented, yet the basic principles apply to every family. Recording names, relationships, and key dates helps preserve history that would otherwise fade.

You can begin building a private family tree for free, with no sign-up required, at the My rOoOts create-tree page. The family tree generator offers an easy starting point. An ancestor timeline generator can place generations against historical events. When relatives add information, a relationship calculator helps clarify connections.

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Conclusion

The Bourbon family tree links the glamorous court of Louis XIV’s France with the modern Spanish monarchy. From Henry IV’s accession in 1589 to the reign of Felipe VI today, the dynasty has survived revolution, war, and political change. The French line lost its throne in the nineteenth century, but the Spanish branch continues to reign.

Studying this tree reveals both the reach of European dynastic politics and the lasting value of clear genealogical records — a practice that serves royal houses and ordinary families alike.

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