Background
Up to the age of 20 he worked as a shoemaker for his father.
Up to the age of 20 he worked as a shoemaker for his father.
From 1868 he studied at the École pratique des Hautes Études in Paris, and at the same time, worked at the National Archives as an assistant to Alfred Maury.
He is remembered for his research in the field of historical geography and for his edition of the 15th century poet, Francois Villon. Later on, he received a promotion as sous-chef at the Archives, and eventually became a director of studies at the École pratique des Hautes Études. From 1892 to 1911 he held the chair of historical geography at the Collège de France.
Ligue de la Patrie Française]
In 1886 he was chosen as a member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres.