He was the son of Bertrand III of Baux, Count of Andria and Montescaglioso and his second wife, Marguerite d'Aulnay.

[1][3] Francis was created Duke of Andria and was the first magnate to be raised to ducal dignity in the kingdom.

[2] Andria had been a royal fief which the Duke's father received from Beatrice of Anjou, by virtue of her dower.

[2] Queen Joanna, however, decided to exercise direct rule over the Prince of Taranto's Greek possessions.

[2] In April 1374, Queen Joanna decided to suppress the family and stripped Francis of all his lands and titles.