[1] During his time there, he began to write poetry and plays and often served as the Count's representative at the Hôtel de ville.

There, he came into contact with many of that era's artistic personalities; including Victor Hugo, Eugène Delacroix, Alexandre Dumas, Hector Berlioz and George Sand.

[2] He was most attracted to the civilizations of the Middle East and, from 1843 to 1846, was able to participate in a scientific mission, led by the French Consul, Paul-Émile Botta, that performed some of the first excavations at Nineveh.

Due to what he felt was an underestimation of the pieces' value, both in scientific and monetary terms, he had a falling out with the authorities and was never chosen to go on any further missions.

[3] In 1852, he retired from Paris to Menneval, in Eure, where he devoted himself to painting, based on sketches he had brought back from his trips, and studying Norman history.