 It originated as a sprightly 17th-century French folk dance for couples.Traditionally, the folkdance was associated with the provinces of Vavarais, Languedoc, Dauphiné, and Provence in southern France, and it became popular as a court dance during the reign of Louis XIV .Its hopping steps were adopted by the skillful dancers of the French and English courts, where it remained fashionable through the 18th century.