Born in Brussels, a chemist by training, he and his brother Jacques were involved in the founding of the Comédiens routiers, the precursors of the Théâtre national de Belgique established in 1945.
When in 1959 he succeeded Joseph Rogatchewsky at the head of La Monnaie, he developed a policy of international exchange and public outreach, with a particular focus on youth.
That same year, he brought some of his dancers and the ballet troupe of La Monnaie to create the highly successful Rite of Spring.
Wishing to broaden the company's audience, they brought out the dance from the Théâtre de la Monnaie to present Les Quatre Fils Aymon at the Cirque Royal in 1961, the choreographer's first major popular success.
He involved renowned directors such as Franco Zeffirelli (Rigoletto and Falstaff), Jean-Pierre Ponnelle (several operas by Rossini), and Wieland Wagner (Tristan und Isolde, which premiere took place in Brussels before Bayreuth).