junot was born in bussy-le-grand, côte-d'or, son of michel junot, a farmer (1739–1814), and wife marie antoinette bienaymé (1735–1806). his father was the son of françois junot (?–1759) and wife edmée laurain (1703–1784), while his mother was the daughter of guy bienaymé and wife ursule rigoley. jean-andoche went to school in châtillon. he was studying law in dijon when the french revolution started. after joining a battalion as volunteer, he was twice wounded and also made sergeant. he first met napoleon bonaparte during the siege of toulon in 1793, when he became his secretary (aide de camp).