He is known for his Vie d'enfant (1894), an autobiographical account of his childhood as an illiterate peasant in the rural south of France.

[4] Bonnet was recalled to the army in July 1870 at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, fought at Châtillon and was wounded at Champigny.

[5] His first writings appeared in the Viro Souleu in Paris, where they were noticed by Frédéric Mistral and Alphonse Daudet.

Daudet wrote to him several times inviting him to meet in Paris, but it took six months before Bonnet could buy a frock coat and waistcoat for the visit.

[2] In 1877, the Soucieta Felibrenco dé Paris was founded by Bonnet, Jean Barnabé Amy, Joseph Banquier, Antoine Duc (Duc-Quercy), Maurice Faure, Louis Gleize and Pierre Grivolas.

Daudet's translation of Vido d'enfant appeared in 1894 and was well received, including a good review by Georges Clemenceau in the Dépêche.