Garnier de Rochefort was descended from the noble family of Rochefort-sur-Brévon.
He first became a monk at the Longuay Abbey [fr], then Abbot of Auberive around 1175.
[1][2] In 1193, on the death of Manassès de Bar [fr; ru], he was elected Bishop of Langres.
Charged in Rome with profligate overspending by Hilduin de Vendeuvre [fr], he was suspended by Pope Innocent III.
[1] On his return, he resigned and retired to Clairvaux Abbey until his death, which likely occurred in 1225 (though certain 19th-century historians say 1200).