A captain in the régiment de Condé in 1789, the comte d'Autichamp emigrated then returned to France and was admitted to the Garde constitutionnelle du Roi.

Taking refuge in Anjou in the house of his cousin and brother-in-law, Charles Melchior Artus de Bonchamps, he became one of the leaders of the Vendeen revolt, participating in the Siege of Nantes in June 1793, won the Battle of Chantonnay, on 5 September repulsed Louis Marie Turreau at Les Ponts-de-Cé, on 12 September.

After the defeats at Cholet and Beaupréau, he captured the bridge across the Loire at Varades, allowing the Vendéens to cross and take Ancenis.

Although favouring peace at the La Jonchere discussions, he resumed the war in 1799, failed before Cholet and was beaten at Les Aubiers.

During the Hundred Days, he raised a small army of Vendéens and took Cholet without a fight, but was beaten at the Battle of Rocheservière, on 19 and 20 June 1815.