He began by training in scientific studies but his mastership of Russian, French, English and German gave him entrance in 1948 to the radio foreign broadcasting services of Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française (RTF).

He was host of the televised program Intervilles (French counterpart of Britain's It's a Knockout) with Guy Lux.

He commented 6 times on the Tour de France, and he is remembered for his prodigious memory for names of riders.

Above all, he was the key-commenter for big events, such as weddings, burials or investitures of world's key figures, some thirty of them during the course of his career.

[2] In 1978, following French singer Marie Myriam's victory the previous year, the Eurovision song contest took place in Paris.