He was born at Le Malzieu-Ville, Lozère, educated at the Prytanée National Militaire and St Cyr, and entered the army as sub-lieutenant of foot in 1824.

During the campaign in Lombardy in 1859 he commanded at Marseilles, and superintended the despatch of men and stores to the seat of war, and for his services he was made a grand officer of the Legion of Honour.

After the first capture of Orléans by the Germans, he was appointed by the Government of National Defense, in November 1870, to the command of the Army of the Loire (notwithstanding his monarchist and catholic beliefs).

After the government surrendered to Prussia in January 1871, General Paladines was appointed as head of the National Guard, whose members deeply resented having him as their commander.

He sat for Allier as a member of the Centre gauche parliamentary group and was one of the fifteen officers chosen to assist in the peace negotiations.