After studying at the Paul Verlaine University – Metz, he moved to Paris, where he actively participated in the Conférence Olivaint and later became president of the organisation.

After completing an internship and a thesis, his career led him into various hospitals in the city and suburbs, where he developed medical innovations and conducted research.

As a member of the parish patronage committee, Michaux's moral and religious beliefs led him to establish a type of gymnastics specifically intended for Christian Patriots.

Michaux organised two major gymnastic competitions, which both contributed to the founding of the Fédération internationale catholique d'éducation physique et sportive in 1911.

His involvement in the fields of sports and business earned him many accolades, including being appointed as a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour by Marshal Ferdinand Foch.

Born in Metz into a Catholic family, Paul-Marie Michaux[1] studied in the college town of St Clement, where he was appreciated by his fellow students.

[4] This conference quickly built a solid reputation among students and physicians and was officially recognized in 1879, when Paul Michaux was appointed to be its first president.

[13] The following year, the federation was renamed the Fédération des sociétés catholiques de gymnastique (FSCG), and sports such as football, cross-country, shooting and swimming were included alongside gymnastics.

[14] In 1898, Michaux founded the Fédération gymnastique et sportive des patronages de France (FGSPF), which acquired its first premises at 5 Place Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin in the 7th arrondissement of Paris on 15 July 1905.

[16] Before the events of the First World War,[17] Michaux began to create sports sponsorships in preparation for the "Brevet spécial d'éducation militaire", or special patent military education.

[26] In 1921, Michaux was named Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour for having "spent over 20 years in the physical education of youth and military preparation".

[30] Fourteen leading doctors and surgeons, the Director of the Public Assistance, thirteen generals and admirals and nearly 3,000 gymnasts with flags from over 50 associations and 72 regional unions paraded before his coffin.