As a diplomat, he has served in Belgrade (1981-1983), Bonn (1985-1987), the French mission to the EU in Brussels (1988-1991 and 1997-2002), Moscow (1991-1994) and Bucharest (ambassador to Romania, 2002-2005). He has also served in various roles in Paris, notably as president of the Agency for French Education Abroad (2004-2007). He has also worked as deputy chief-of-staff to Hervé de Charette (1995-1997) and as chief-of-staff to Bernard Kouchner (May 2007-April 2009). In the latter role, he was closely involved in the 2008 G20 Washington summit following the financial crisis of 2007–2008, the evacuation of French citizens from Tbilisi during the Russian invasion of Georgia, and the French presidency of the Council of the European Union.