Saarlouis is a city in Saarland, Germany, and this medal commemorates the founding of the fortress and city in 1680 by King Louis XIV of France. The establishment of Saarlouis was one of many actions taken by the king to fortify the new border between Germany and France. This particular medal is one of a large series that composes a medallic history of the reign of Louis XIV, issued at various intervals during his reign.