Chéruel was born at Rouen and educated at the École Normale Supérieure, becoming a fellow (agregé) in 1830.

[1] These works may still be consulted for the 17th century, the period upon which Chéruel concentrated all his scientific activity.

He edited successively the Journal d'Olivier Lefèvre d'Ormesson (1860–1862), interesting for the history of the parlement of Paris during the minority of King Louis XIV; Lettres du cardinal Mazarin pendant son ministère (9 vols, 1870–1891), continued by the vicomte Georges d'Avenel; and Mémoires du duc de Saint-Simon, published for the first time according to the original manuscripts (2 editions, 1856–1858 and 1878–1881).

These two works are valuable for abundance of facts, precision of details, and clear and intelligent arrangement, but are characterized by a slightly frigid style.

To the student of the second half of the 17th century in France, the works of Chéruel are a mine of information.