He entered the "Petit Séminaire du Rondeau", where he studied design with Laurent Guétal,[1] who introduced him to painting mountains and other impressive scenery in a style that would mark what later became known as the "École Dauphinoise", a group that also included Ernest Victor Hareux and Jean Achard.

In 1875, he enrolled at a vocational school (now known as the École Vaucanson) to learn his family's trade, as well as drawing.

[4] In 1900, he was one of the artists who provided decorations for Le Train Bleu, a famous restaurant near the Gare de Lyon in Paris.

He briefly departed from landscapes to produce some portraits for a benefactor in Russia who promised to place some of his works in the Hermitage.

He recovered his spirits by travelling to paint in the French and Swiss Alps, including a visit to Mont Blanc, and resumed his schedule of exhibitions.