King Louis XIV of France ruled with opulence, grandeur... and a serious avoidance of soap and water. Despite living in the Palace of Versailles — one of the most elaborate royal residences in history — Louis reportedly only bathed three times in his entire life.

Like many 17th-century Europeans, he believed that water could spread disease. Instead, he relied on layers of heavy perfume, powders, and frequent changes of elaborately embroidered clothing to mask the realities of royal hygiene.

Louis also popularized a rather curious fashion trend: high-heeled shoes for men, often dyed bright red and reserved for nobility. And while he controlled every detail of court life, he insisted on being the center of attention — to the point that courtiers were expected to watch him eat, dress, and even wake up. It wasn’t just a monarchy. It was a one-man theater.

Royal luxury didn’t always mean cleanliness — and Versailles, for all its sparkle, didn’t even have indoor plumbing.