(John Aymar de), a native of Auvergne, of a noble family, applied himself with ardour to the study of geography, and of the history of France. With the view of improving himself in this study, he travelled into different provinces; and, in the course of his travels, made some important observations on the natural history, the commerce, the civil and ecclesiastical government of each province. These observations were of great use to him in compiling the works he has left behind him, of which the chief are, 1. An Historical and Geographical Description of France; the largest edition of which is that of 1753, in 15 vol. 12mo. It is the best work which has hitherto appeared upon that subject, though it contains a great number of inaccuracies and even errors. 2. A Description of Paris, in 10 vol. 12mo; a work equally entertaining and instructive, and much more complete than the description given by Germain Brice: besides, it is written with an elegant simplicity. He published an abridgment of it in 2 vol. 12mo. 3. A Description of the Cattle and Park of Versailles, Marly, &c., in 2 vol. 12mo; it is very amusing, and pretty well executed. Piganiol had also a concern with Abbé Nadal in the Journal of Trevoux. He died at Paris in February 1753, at the age of 80 years. This learned man was as much to be respected for his manners as for his talents. To a profound and varied knowledge knowledge he united great probity and honour, and all the politeness of a courtier.