He studied philosophy, geometry and astrology in Paris before becoming Henry II's chamberlain, then captain of a light cavalry company and seneschal of Albi and Castres. He fought with distinction at the siege of Thionville in 1558 and at the battles of Saint-Denis, Jarnac and Moncontour in the late 1560s. Charles IX made him a knight of the Order of St Michael and Henry III promoted his estates from lordships into a marquisate in 1576.