Les E Smith

Canal of the Sun King Les E Smith

Canal of the Sun King is a fictional portrayal of the design and construction of the Canal du Midi in 17th Century France.

Based on historical records, the novel tells the saga of the men and women who, during the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV of France, achieved what was arguably the greatest human endeavor of the 17th century. It was an achievement, deemed impossible by many, that is today recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At the center of the story is Pierre-Paul Riquet, an ambitious entrepreneur who earned the Sun King's sanction and assembled the perfect blend of skills and ingenuity in the perfect culture at the perfect time in history to enable the impossible.