Made a sous-lieutenant in the 34th regiment of the line, he took part in the conquest of Algeria and on his father's advice swore to obey the new constitution of 1830.

For his conduct on that campaign and for saving general Trézel after the latter was wounded by a musket-ball, he was decorated with the Légion d’honneur.

Punishing the popular revolt of 15 September 1841 at Clermont-Ferrand, many people demanded his promotion but this was refused by Louis-Philippe of France due to his belonging to an Ultra-royalist family.

In the Italian campaign he was chef d’état-major of the Motte-Rouge division of the 2nd Army Corps under the orders of Mac-Mahon.

He fought at the battle of Spicheren on 6 August then retreated to Metz, which surrendered on 28 October, leaving Laveaucoupet a prisoner.