He was born in Toulon, France, and throughout his adult life served as a career naval officer.

As a young rear admiral (contre-amiral) he served in Mexico during the French intervention there in 1862.

He was named vice admiral in 1869 and served on the Admiralty Council (Conseil d'amirauté).

He was named Préfet Maritime de la Manche et de la Mer du Nord, a position he held between 1869 and 1871 and during which he served to guard the Brittany coast during the Franco-Prussian War.

In 1875, Roze was named commander of the Mediterranean Squadron (Escadre de la Méditerranée).