How did Henry IV rebuild France’s economy after the Wars of Religion?

After the devastation of the Wars of Religion, Henry IV restored France’s economy by prioritizing financial stability, infrastructure development, and state-led industrial growth, largely through the efforts of his minister, Maximilien de Béthune, duc de Sully.12

Financial Reforms

Sully improved the crown's fiscal health by enforcing the repayment of royal debts and shifting the tax burden from direct to indirect taxation. A significant, albeit controversial, measure was the 1604 introduction of the paulette, a tax that allowed government officials to make their offices hereditary, which provided the state with a predictable and steady stream of revenue.1324

Infrastructure and Industry

Henry IV and Sully invested heavily in rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure, including:
* Transportation: They repaired roads and bridges and initiated the Briare Canal project to connect the Seine and Loire rivers.124
* Agriculture: The government encouraged stock raising, forest preservation, and land reclamation, such as draining marshes to improve farmland.24
* Manufacturing: Henry promoted the production of luxury goods, including silk, glassware, and tapestries, to reduce reliance on imports.4
* Trade: He established commercial treaties with nations like England, Spain, and the Ottoman Empire to stimulate the export of grain, cattle, and wine.143