Bourbaki was born at Pau, the son of Greek colonel Constantin Denis Bourbaki, who died in the War of Independence in 1827. He was educated at the Prytanée National Militaire, entered St Cyr, and in 1836 joined the "Zouaves", becoming lieutenant of the Foreign Legion in 1838 and "aide-de-camp" to King Louis Philippe. It was in the African expedition that he first came to the front. In 1842 he was captain in the "Zouaves"; 1847, colonel of the "Turcos"; in 1850, lieutenant-colonel of the 1st "Zouaves"; 1851, colonel; 1854, brigadier-general. In the Crimean War he commanded a portion of the Algerian troops; and at the Alma, Inkerman and Sevastopol Bourbaki's name became famous. In 1857 he was made general of division, commanding in 1859 at Lyon. His success in the war in Italy was second only to that of MacMahon, and in 1862 he was proposed as a candidate for the vacant Greek throne, but declined the proffered honour. In 1870 the Emperor Napoleon III entrusted him with the command of the Imperial Guard, and he played an important part in the fighting round Metz. His conduct at Gravelotte however was questionable as with the Prussians exhausted from the fighting and heavy casualties, the French were poised to mount a counter-attack but for Bourbaki refusing to commit the reserves of the French Imperial Guard to the battle because he considered it a defeat.