He was the second son of Henri de Nesmond (1600–1651). Henri de Nesmond (1655–1672) was his younger brother. In 1658 he became a member of the Order of Malta. In 1662 he entered in the service of the French Navy and was wounded in 1663 in a battle with 3 Algerian corsairs. in 1667 he was promoted to captain and fought under François, Duke of Beaufort in the Siege of Candia in 1669.