The Case of Louis XVII

The Case of Louis XVII

In The Case of Louis XVII, Patrick Bernauw dives into one of the greatest enigmas of the French Revolution: the death—or escape?—of the Dauphin, Crown Prince Louis XVII of France. Officially, the boy died in 1795 while imprisoned in the Temple Tower in Paris. Yet persistent rumors soon surfaced, along with numerous “false dauphins” claiming to be the real Louis XVII.

Bernauw reconstructs this historical mystery in a compelling blend of factual research, historical documents, and literary imagination. He investigates whether the prince truly died in his cell—or whether a conspiracy and secret escape were involved. Themes such as political machinations, the role of the Church, and the fascination with lost heirs are woven into the narrative.

The result is a book that reads like a historical thriller: meticulously researched, yet grippingly written, inviting the reader to doubt—and perhaps even to become convinced—that Louis XVII did indeed leave the Temple alive.

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