Louis Nicolas de Clerville (1610 – 15 or 16 October 1677), often referred to as the Chevalier de Clerville, held many military positions during his life in France.[1] In the 1660s, he was the chief engineer for ports and canals under Louis XIV's ministerJean-Baptiste Colbert[2]: 175 and was responsible for surveying the coasts of France[3]: 77–78 and the creation of numerous maps. He was also associated withPierre-Paul Riquet and the building of theCanal du Midi.
Clerville played an important role inFrançois de Vendôme, Duc de Beaufort's 1664 expedition against Algiers and attempt to establish a French stronghold at Djidjelli (or Gigeri, present-dayJijel).[4]
During his association with the canal, Clerville worked forJean-Baptiste Colbert, minister of finance under KingLouis XIV of France. He served as Colbert'scommissaire general des fortifications building ports, dry docks and fortresses.[5] Clerville verified Riquet's proposal for the canal and was Colbert's eyes and ears keeping track of Riquet's efforts.
Clerville originated the ideas for the building a single large dam of the Laudot valley near Saint-Ferréol (a hamlet ofRevel). When this was accomplished, it became theBassin de St. Ferréol. He also had the idea for digging the tunnel through theCammazes ridge to connect therigole de la montagne to the Bassin de St. Ferréol.
Clerville lost his standing withKing Louis in 1673[5] and died in 1677.[5]
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