[2] He was educated in Montpellier, and he earned a doctorate in medicine from the University of Avignon in 1772.

[3] Achard began collecting books from Catholic schools and monasteries closed down during the French Revolution in 1790.

[1] By 1793, he was a founder of the first public library in Marseille,[1] based in the Couvent des Bernardines.

[1] He spearheaded the growth of Freemasonry in Marseille during the French Consulate, and he reopened a lodge known as "La Triple union".

[1][2][3] The Rue Achard in the 4th arrondissement of Marseille was named in his honor.