He took an active part during the strikes of 1936 in France which gave birth to the modern era of French employment legislation.

In February 2012, he set a world record in one-hour track cycling in the over-100 age group at 24.250 kilometres (15.068 miles).

[4][5] On 4 January 2017, he set a world record in one-hour track cycling in the over-105 age group, covering 22.547 kilometres (14.010 miles) in one hour, and the 105 year old centenarian declared: "I could have done better, if I had seen the 10-minute warning card, otherwise I would have pedalled slightly faster".

[8] Marchand put his remarkable fitness and longevity down to a diet consisting of: lots of fruit and vegetables, a little meat, not too much coffee – and an hour a day on the cycling home-trainer.

[10] After his 108th birthday Marchand stopped riding bikes outdoors due to hearing loss.