Kammala wannan jumla: An haife shi a Luxembourg zuwa dangin masu daraja na Huguenot, François ya fuskanci rayuwar soja tun yana ƙarami. Mahaifinsa ya kasance janar na Prussian kuma kwamandan rundunar. An kashe shi a cikin aikin jagorancin mutanensa a lokacin
Yaƙin Spicheren a ranar 6 ga Agusta 1870.