Nicholas Fouquet Partied His Way into Prison (1661)
King Louis XIV’s Minister of Finance Nicholas Fouquet found himself with a life sentence in prison, his wife in exile, and his property confiscated for a strange reason: Holding an epic party. In 1661, Fouquet invited thousands of guests to celebrate his new chateaux at Vaux-le-Vicomte. The party featured a grand banquet, prepared by Vatel, a celebrated chef who invented Chantilly cream.
Once the food was eaten and the guests warmed by drink, they were treated debut of a play by Molière, Les Fâcheax (The Bores). The night concluded with spectacular fireworks. The King, already distrustful of his Finance Minister, was unimpressed by Fouquet’s hosting skills. He doubt Fouquet could afford an event so luxurious (among his other luxuries like the chateaux) with his own money. Fouquet was arrested for misuse of public money, embezzlement, and treason. He was imprisoned for the rest of his life.
