Born at Sacy, he was educated by the Jansenists at Bicêtre, and on the expulsion of the Jansenists was received by one of his brothers, who was a curé.
Născut la Sacy, el a fost educat de către janseniști la Bicêtre, iar după alungarea janseniștilor fost primit de către unul dintre frații săi, care era preot.