Born in Lyon, where he spent most of his life. Educated there at many schools and at the "Ecole des beaux Arts". Served in French Army in WWI, awarded Croix de Guerre & Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur. Returning from war he had many jobs ranging from art-teacher to commercial traveller before devoting himself to writing. Wrote many novels, but by the late '60s only 6 were translated into English.