 He joined the French Foreign Legion in 1843; he commanded the 2nd battalion, then stationed at Bône.Under the orders of the Duke d'Aumale, he took part to the columns in the Aurès, Sétif, Némentcha, sector de Collo, Bougie, Guelma, at the head of the 1st battalion against the Ziban and removed along with his battalion, the ksar de M’Chounech in March 1844.He was made Officer of the Order of the Legion d'honneur on August 20 1845.