Why did Frederick II prefer French language and culture?

Frederick II’s preference for French language and culture was rooted in his identity as a ruler who prided himself on being a leading representative of the high culture of his day. He consistently wrote and spoke French by preference, utilizing German only when necessary.1

This affinity was part of a broader, essentially conservative outlook on culture. While Frederick was a proponent of enlightened government and invited prominent French intellectuals such as Voltaire to his court, he remained largely uninterested in the contemporary intellectual developments occurring within Germany. His commitment to French aesthetics was further reflected in his architectural choices, most notably the construction of his Rococo palace, Sanssouci.1

Ultimately, Frederick’s cultural leanings were a personal choice that distinguished him from the intellectual currents of his own kingdom, which he did not seek to transform into an intellectual center.1