Grente was director of the diocesan College of Saint Louis from 1903 to 1916, whence he became superior of St. Paul Institute in Cherbourg.

He received his episcopal consecration on the following 17 April from Cardinal Louis-Ernest Dubois, with Bishops Claude Bardel and Joseph Guérard serving as co-consecrators.

[1] Pope Pius XII created him Cardinal Priest of S. Bernardo alle Terme in the consistory of 12 January 1953.

Despite speculation that his poor health would prevent him from participating,[2] Grente was one of the cardinal electors in the 1958 papal conclave, which selected Pope John XXIII [citation needed].

He was subject to an attack by the Canard Enchaîné on his ownership of brothels near the cathedral purchased unsuccessfully (given opposition by civil and military authorities) in view of their closure, renewed by Jean Egen in 1973.