In 1863 he was made commander of the 2nd division of the French Imperial Guard, in 1865 he was appointed deputy governor of French Algeria and the named Senator in 1866. After a period as commander of the military camp at Châlons, he assumed command of II Corps at Lille in 1867. During the Franco-Prussian War he was placed in command of the IV Corps of the "Army of the Rhine", taking part in the battles of Mars-la-Tour and Saint-Privat; during the latter he repulsed the German attack at Amanvillers. After the capitulation of the Bazaine's army however, he became a Prussian prisoner of war.