An orchestra at the French royal court under Louis XIV, and part of the Musique de la Chambre du Roi. It was created in about 1648 as the King's personal ensemble when he was aged around 10, to accompany luncheons and dances at the Palais Royal. Originally totalling 10 or so violins, it rose to 21 by 1665. Lully, who was critical of the traditional style of the Vingt-Quatre Violons du Roi, favoured Les Petits Violons, which suited his Italian taste in music. Les Petits Violons was disbanded after the reign of Louis XIV.
