He studied at the Collège Royal de La Flèche, and entered the French Navy in 1778.

He left that year on board the 12-gun brig Diligent, in search of Jean-François de La Pérouse.

Back in France, he was reintegrated—he had become destitute as an aristocrat—and was promoted to captain, commander of the Tonnant at the Battle of Aboukir Bay, where he died on 2 August 1798.

During the battle, his men heavily battered HMS Majestic, inflicting casualties of 50 killed, including Captain George Blagdon Westcott, and 143 wounded.

[1][2] After having lost both legs and an arm, he continued to command from a bucket filled with wheat until he died.