His father was a fencing coach for the French army[2] In his youth, Jean Louis took part in a winner take all tournament to the death.

[6] Jean Louis adopted the most familiar tactic of retreating until his opponent tired himself with a series of clumsy attacks, whereupon he suddenly parried strongly and riposted with a wicked slash to the face, thereby teaching him a lesson in humility.

[7] On July 29, 1814, Jean-Louis was knighted by the Legion of Honour[8] He refused a commission, and in 1830, he retired to Montpellier, where he opened a fencing school.

[10] In 1857, he was awarded the Medal of Saint Helena by Napoleon III[11] His style, which emphasised the conservation of movement, was a major influence on the French school of fencing, despite leaving no written record.

As a result, fencers would develop a universal circular quarte parry, keeping the point on target followed by a quick direct riposte.