Mariage was born in Valogenes on 8 July 1767. He entered the French army as a private before the French Revolution. During the Revolution he distinguished himself in several campaigns and worked his way up through the ranks. He was appointed a colonel and sent on a mission to Turkey where he showed ability. He was promoted to "Maréchal de camp" (major-general) on 18 October 1812. He was wounded at the Battle of Krasnoi during the retreat from Moscow and was captured by the Russians. He returned to France after the first restoration of Louis XVIII in 1814. During Napoleon's Hundred Days, he commanded National Guard of the three military division. Forces under his command were decisively defeated when Saarbrücken was stormed by an Austrian column under the command of Lieutenant-General Count Beckers.