Davout was born at Annoux (Yonne), the son of Jean-François d'Avout (1739–1779) and his wife (married in 1768) Françoise-Adélaïde Minard de Velars (1741–1810). He was educated at the École de Brienne in Brienne-le-Chateau, the military academy also attended by Napoleon, before also transferring to the "École Militaire" in Paris on 29 September 1785. He graduated on 19 February 1788 and was appointed a "sous-lieutenant" in the Royal-Champagne Cavalry Regiment in garrison at Hesdin. On the outbreak of the French Revolution, Davout embraced its principles. He was "chef de bataillon" in a volunteer corps in the campaign of 1792, and distinguished himself at the Battle of Neerwinden the following spring. He had just been promoted to general of brigade when he was removed from the active list because of his noble birth. He nevertheless served in the campaigns of 1794-1797 on the Rhine, and accompanied General Louis Desaix in the Egyptian expedition of Napoleon Bonaparte.