During his half century of rule, he took a political course which was more agitated than effective, following his father's example, making him one of the most visible actors on the stage of Europe.

Alain initially benefited from his fidelity to King Louis XI of France and, through this, enlarged his principality.

He later seized Armagnac and married his son, John, to Catherine, recently proclaimed queen regnant of the Kingdom of Navarre and heiress to Foix and Bigorre.

The following year, he brought reinforcements by sea, but was defeated by Louis II de la Trémoille at the Battle of Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier.

Despite his failure in Brittany, Alain established other dynastic links through his daughter, Charlotte of Albret, who married Cesare Borgia in May 1499.