 He was from a noble Breton family which participated in the crusades, and of which a branch had settled in Anjou a century before.In 1786 he joined the "Austrasia" infantry regiment as an officer.In the early days of the French Revolution 1789–1799 he was a member of the pro-monarchy "Chevaliers du poignard" (Knights of the dagger) who placed themselves at the service of King Louis XVI.