[Chevalier]. French diplomatist and orientalist, born at Marseilles in 1635. He exhibited much tact in his negotiation of a treaty, in 1668, with the Dey of Tunis. He was consul of Aleppo from 1679 to 1686, during which time he collected materials for his Treatise on the Manners and Customs of the Arabs, published in 1717,—a work that was commended by Niebuhr. The pope offered d’Arvieux the honorary title of Bishop of Babylon, but he declined the honor. M. Labat compiled a book of Memoirs of Chevalier d’Arvieux (1735) from the papers left by the latter, referring chiefly to his travels in the Orient. He died in 1702.
