He discovered Saharan Africa, and took part in the French occupation of Tunisia; he was sent in 1884 to Tonkin, where he remained until 1886. The following year he was back in Algeria, where he became aide-de-camp to the General in command of the division quartered in Algiers in 1887, and resumed his previous interest in the Sahara and learned to exploit the qualities of the meharistes, the camel cavalry.
He explored Saharan Africa, participated in the French occupation of Tunisia; he was dispatched to Tonkin in 1884, where he remained until 1886. The following year, he returned to Algeria, where he became aide-de-camp to the general commanding the division stationed in Algiers in 1887, and resumed his interest in the Sahara and learned to utilize the capabilities of the meharistes, the camel cavalry.