Merle had a good education at the Central School of the department of Hérault before arriving in Paris in 1803.

At first an employee at the Ministry of Interior, he soon left the position for military service, and returned to Paris only towards the end of 1808.

His amiable character and easy spirit made him a reputation for indolence which seems in little agreement with the activity of his literary life.

In turn attached to various newspapers, he has written numerous articles in the Mercure de France, la Gazette de France, Le Diable boiteux, Le Nain jaune, etc.

A spiritual critic and pleasant writer, he was among those who were appreciated by their contemporaries and whose name tend to disappear with the appropriateness of their works.