This French-language book explores the principles of thermodynamics and their practical applications to steam engines. Written by engineer and professor Albert Madamet, it covers topics such as heat engines, Carnot cycles, and the thermodynamic properties of steam. This book is ideal for anyone studying mechanical engineering or interested in the history of steam power. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.