Sébastien Le Prestre, Seigneur de Vauban and later Marquis de Vauban (15 May 1633 – 30 March 1707), commonly referred to as Vauban, is a Marshal of France and the foremost military engineer of his age, famed for his skill in both designing fortifications and breaking through them.

He also advises Louis XIV on how to consolidate France's borders, to make them more defensible.

Vauban makes a radical suggestion of giving up some land that is indefensible to allow for a stronger, less porous border with France's neighbors.