 He re-entered political life in 1857 as deputy for the 3rd circumscription of the Seine "département".His candidacy had been supported by the "Siècle", and he joined the constitutional opposition.With Alfred Darimon, Jules Favre, JL Hénon and Ernest Picard he formed a group known as "Les Cinq" (the Five), which wrung from Napoleon III some concessions in the direction of constitutional government.