 His novels, of which the best-known is "Les bourgeois de Molinchart" (1854), were among the earliest Realist works.In 1869 his book "Les Chats", a series of essays about cats including portrayals of cats by prominent artists of the time, was published by Librairie de la Société Botanique de France, edited by J. Rothschild.From 1872 until his death in 1889 he was Chief of Collections at the Sèvres porcelain factory.