He was in command during the Battle of Havana, the most significant naval engagement of the Franco-Prussian War.

He took part in the Crimean War, serving on the corvette Galatée and the gunboat Lance (1854–1855) with the rank of Ensigne.

During the Franco-Prussian War, with the rank of capitaine de frégate, he was in command of the aviso Bouvet.

In June 1881, he rose to contre-amiral and took command of the squadron based in Algeria.

Promoted to vice-amiral in February 1888, he was appointed Maritime Prefect in Rochefort in September 1892.