After studying his secondary education in Nice, Marseille and Toulon, he then attended a Lycée naval at Brest (1968–1971).

He served also at the general staff headquarters of the French Navy (French: état-major de la marine) in the « Material » division, the a couple years later in the « Plans » division and was promoted to Contre-Amiral (Counter-Admiral) in 2001.

He then occupied the functions of territorial assistant (French: adjoint) to the commandant of the coded maritime region « Atlantic ».

Vice-Amiral (Vice-Admiral), he commanded the Submarines Forces FSM and Force Océanique Stratégique FOST before being designated as a Vice-Amiral d'Escadre (Squadron Vice-Admiral) deputy in 2005 at the post of Major Général de La Marine (French: major général de la marine).

He left that command function on September 12, 2011 and was replaced by Amiral Bernard Rogel.