He was made a midshipman in 1911, and was promoted to enseigne de vaisseau 2e classe in 1912.

After a first unsuccessful escape attempt, he managed to rejoin France in January 1918.

Promoted to capitaine de corvette in 1923, he pioneered the French efforts to design aircraft carriers.

In 1924, Teste flew an FBA 17 across France to chart waterplans usable as emergency landing spots for flying boats in distress.

Teste was killed at Villacoublay, on an Amiot 120, in a training flight for an attempt at crossing the Atlantic.