Career
He is the author of more than 900 articles and 22 books primarily on history and heraldry. He was president of the Société nationale des Antiquaires de France in 2010. He was recognized as an expert in French heraldry and vexology.
He was commissioned to create the coat of arms of the Pays de la Loire region of France, and to do the final design for the coat of arms of the Republic of Chad.
Pinoteau is a monarchist who believed in the restoration of the House of Bourbon to the French throne. He is considered one of the innovators of the legitimist movement in France.
From 1950 to 1951, he served in the French army as a lieutenant. He served as the private secretary of the late Prince Alfonso, Duke of Anjou, for 26 years.