He authored forty books, was the director of Le Figaro from 1974 to 1977, as well as the dean of the Académie Française, to which he was elected in 1973, until his death, in addition to his service as president of the International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies within UNESCO (1992–1997).

A major public figure in France, known for his art de la conversation, Jean d'Ormesson was saluted as "the best of the French spirit" by President Emmanuel Macron upon his death.

[8] D'Ormesson attended preparatory school at the Lycée Henri-IV,[9] and he was admitted to the École normale supérieure; he subsequently passed the agrégation in Philosophy.

[7] His first novels, L'amour est un plaisir, Un amour pour rien, Les illusions de la mer, were unsuccessful.

[10] D'Ormesson became Secretary-General of the International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies at UNESCO,[3] and the director of the conservative French newspaper Le Figaro from 1974 to 1979.