Marie Jean François Philibert Lecarlier d'Ardon was born in Laon (Aisne) on 20 November 1752.

[1] After the coup of 18 Fructidor V (4 September 1797) Lecarlier was placed on the list of candidates for the French Directory to replace Lazare Carnot and François-Marie Barthelemy, who had been sentenced to deportation.

He was appointed Commissioner Plenipotentiary of the French army in Switzerland, and was responsible for the organization of the Helvetic Republic.

In this position he addressed a proclamation to the Mountain and helped in defining the treaty of cooperation between the French and Swiss republics.

[1] He left office on 8 Brumaire VII (29 October 1798) and was replaced by Jean-Pierre Duval,[2] Lecarlier was appointed Commissioner General in Belgium.