 He became a cadet at the Ecole de Marine in Toulon in February 1812, was appointed a midshipman in 1815 and served in several ships.He was promoted to "enseigne de vaisseau" (ensign) in 1820 and "lieutenant de vaisseau" (ship-of-the-line lieutenant) in 1828.He participated in the Invasion of Algiers in 1830.