The war opposed from 1701 to 1714, Louis XIV's France, allied to Bavaria and the electorate of Cologne, to the rest of Europe : Great Britain, Holland, Austria, Prussia, Hanover, Portugal and Savoie.

He was named sous-lieutenant to the Régiment du Roi,[3] and was involved in the taking of Breisach by the Duke of Bourgogne, on 6 September 1703.

Philippe Charles de La Fare campaigned with the army of Moselle as ensign of the colonelle compagnie of the Régiment du Roi.

[4] He passed the beginning of 1704 in Italy, and acceded to the command of the régiment d'Auvergne in April 1704, after the dismissal of the Vicomte of Poudenx.

He wanted to mount a surprise assault on the strong fortifications of Vercelli, but the detachment to this expedition arrives too late and the project is aborted.