His ancestors were notable Huguenots who probably originated in Normandy[citation needed] and settled first in La Rochelle and then in Bergerac, Dordogne.
His grandfather Jean Deschamps (1667–1730) had emigrated from Bergerac after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and after studying in Geneva had become a pastor in Mecklenburg and then Brandenburg.
[2] At the start of the French Revolution Destournelles played an active role in the political events.
When he found that the leaders were supporting the ancien regime on the pretext of patriotism he broke with them, and as a result lost his official positions.
After the events of 10 August 1792, Destournelles was named commander of the national guard, elector and then municipal officer.
[3] He replaced Étienne Clavière, the last Minister of Finance named by Louis XVI of France.