On 28 April 1578, he was made a "gentilhomme ordinaire" ("gentleman of the bed-chamber") by the King of Navarre, as well as Governor of Mende. In July 1581, he retired in style to Uzès. The date of his death is not known precisely. The Marquis d'Aubais placed it at the start of 1584, but several attest that Merle was still living after the Battle of Coutras, at the end of 1587.