Born at Bar-sur-Aube (Aube), he served as a magistrate under the ancien régime, and was elected deputy to the Legislative Assembly (1791).

He next entered into relations with the family of Napoleon Bonaparte, and in 1799, after the coup of 18 Brumaire, again entered politics, becoming successively préfet of the Seine-Inférieure département, member of the Conseil d'État, and finance minister to Jérôme Bonaparte, King of Westphalia, during the First French Empire.

[3] In 1808 Beugnot, who had meanwhile been appointed administrator of the Grand Duchy of Berg-Cleves, received the cross of an Officier de la Légion d'honneur with the title of count.

[3] After the full Bourbon Restoration, lacking the support of the Ultra-royalists, he was given the title of Minister of State without portfolio, which was equivalent to a retirement.

In 1830, he was made a Peer of France by Charles X, and confirmed by Louis-Philippe after the July Revolution, becoming and director-general of manufactures and commerce.