Odo did not follow his father's aggressive policies towards France and proved a worthy ally of King Philip II of France in his wars against John, King of England, and Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor.

Of a phlegmatic temperament,[2] he fought bravely against the latter in the Battle of Bouvines, where he lost, according to contemporary chroniclers, two horses beneath him.

[3] When Philip II refused to get involved, Odo stepped forward with the support of the local bishops and his vassals and organized the campaign of 1209 against the Cathar strongholds.

[3] Before leaving on crusade against the Cathars, Odo pledged the castle of Ile-d'Ouche and the village of Crimolois to the Knights Templar to assist them in the defense of the Catholic faith.

[5] In 1199, Odo married Alice of Vergy (1182–1252), the daughter of Hugh, Seigneur de Vergy, by Gillette de Trainel.