[1] Retired on account of his age in 1865, he was recalled to active service on the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.

After the early reverses he was made head of the XIII army corps, which did not arrive at the front in time to be involved in the catastrophe of Sedan.

During the Siege of Paris, Vinoy commanded the III army operating on the south side of the capital and took part in all the actions in that quarter.

On Louis Jules Trochu's resignation he was appointed to the supreme command, in which capacity he negotiated France's surrender.

[1] During the Paris Commune, he held important commands in the army of Versailles, occupying the burning Tuileries and the Louvre on May 23, 1871.