This opera is often called Amadis de Gaule to differentiate it from Amadis de Grece. The subject is medieval, and the novel on which the story is based was well known at the time. The subject was chosen by King Louis XIV, but the opera was not premiered at Versailles. The court's theaters were fully booked at the time with plays and comedies, so the initial performance was given at the Palais-Royal in Paris. Later that year, it was also presented to the king at Versailles. This was the first medieval subject to be set by Lully and Quinault, and they followed it with the medieval tale of Roland the very next year.

The plot for Amadis is very confusing and meandering, however it remained a popular opera because of the grand spectacles, the chivalric content of its story, and its beautiful music. Some of the spectacular events include the war between the demons of the air and the demons from the underworld. They include the invocation of the demons in Act II, the appearance of Ugande with her Serpent to defend the virtuous lovers, Amadis and Oriane. Act II is an incredibly picturesque setting of a ruined palace, where the doomed hostages of the demons of hell mourn their fate in a somber, sorrowful chorus.

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