Birth. May 30, 1800, Paris, France. His mother was Dutch and his father French. He initially embraced Protestantism for his education. At 18, he converted to Catholicism. Baptized sub conditionem, September 13, 1819.

Education. Studied in Nimeguen; later, at Collège de Rouen, Rouen; then law in Paris; and finally at the Seminary of Strasbourg, Strasbourg.

Early life. In 1822, he was received into the Royal Court of Paris. Entered the magistrature and was substitute in Andelys and then in Rouen. Royal prosecutor in Neufchâtel-in-Bray. Substitute of the prosecutor-general in Bourges. Advocate-general in Riom. Attorney-general for the district of Besançon, 1830. On the advice of Louis-François-Auguste de Rohan Chabot, archbishop of Besançon, he gave up the magistrature and entered the seminary.

Priesthood. Ordained, December 21, 1833, Strasbourg. Professor at the Seminary of Strasbourg. In Besançon, professor of sacred eloquence, School of Higher Studies; preacher, and apostolic missionary. Rector of the royal church of S. Luigi dei Francesi, Rome, 1844-1847. Honorary canon of the metropolitan chapter of Cambrai, April 13, 1847.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Carcassonne, January 17, 1848. Consecrated, January 30, 1848, church of S. Luigi de' Francesi, Rome, by Cardinal Antonio Francesco Orioli, O.F.M.Conv., assisted by Girolamo d'Andrea, titular archbishop of Melitene, and by Domenico Luciardi, titular archbishop of Damas. Assistant at the Pontifical Thorne, November 26, 1852. Transferred to the see of Évreux, March 23, 1855. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Rouen, March 18, 1858. Emperor Napoleon III often consulted him for the episcopal nominations.