To describe the Géométrie as an « essai » of the Cartesian method, or as an application of the rules given in the Discours de la Méthode, has paradoxically contributed to an undervaluation of the connections existing between this brilliant and famous « essai » and Descartes’ philosophical work. In a way this is a paradox, considering the fact that this description of the Géométrie, underlines the dependency of Descartes’ only complete mathematical application of his method and of the metaphysical principles on which it is based. Nevertheless the connection between the Géométrie and the Cartesian method thus established appears weak. Because of this unsatisfactory situation, studies devoted to this text appear to be split into « philosophical » and « mathematical » analyses. However, the situation appears quite different when the whole of Descartes’ work is considered in connection with the Géométrie. In particular, referring to the Regulae ad directionem ingenii, it is possible to trace a much tighter connection between Descartes’ method and the Géométrie. The aim of this paper is to attempt to highlight these connections and to discuss the historiographical questions mentioned above and, in particular, the consequences of the above mentioned splitting in historiography between the philosophical and the purely mathematical approach. We argue that the latter is groundless in the context of Descartes’ work and leads to misleading conclusions.