 He performed as a "Danseur Étoile" (principal dancer) in the Paris Opera Ballet from 1960 to 1972, then taught the company as a ballet teacher until his retirement.He is seen as having brought many technical innovations to the French school, including more acrobatic steps in solos and duets, and moving the foot higher to the "retiré au genou" (knee height) position for pirouettes, from the old "à la cheville" (ankle height) position.He often performed with his wife, "Étoile" Christine Vlassi, as well as with other "Étoiles" such as Margot Fonteyn and Claude Bessy.