He is widely credited with establishing the first scientific approach to road building about the year 1764.
Trésaguet was born in Nevers, the youngest son from a family of engineers.
First of all, an earth foundation was excavated parallel with but about ten inches below the finished surface of the new road.
This was convex in cross section to encourage water to drain off the finished surface.
This system was used continuously in France from 1775 until 1820 when the country changed to the cheaper Macadam method.