Born at Chateau Vauchaussades, Combrailles, in the Auvergne, 's family had a history of military service. In 1751 he entered the French Army, serving in the Seven Years' War. He distinguished himself in the Siege of Fort St Philip, and was assigned to coastal defences until 1759, when he joined a planned expedition against Ireland that failed due to British blockades of the French ports. He was sent to the West Indies in 1763, serving as artillery chief at Martinique. In 1774 he was awarded the Order of Saint Louis for his service.