The French military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707) is considered as the foremost military engineer in Europe, in particular for his methods of attacking and defending fortified places.
Under King Louis XIV Vauban built 30 new fortifications and improved and reinforced the fortifications of around 300 cities and military harbors. Vauban also enhanced the Canal du Midi with more than 50 structures.