Gautier initially trained as a doctor, turning to mathematics and finally engineering. He served as an engineer for 28 years province of Languedoc. in 1713, he was appointed Inspecteur des ponts et chaussées and moved to Paris where he continued working until his retirement in 1731. In 1716, he wrote the first book on building bridges, Traité des ponts.
Gautier died in Paris, France.