He distinguished himself in the general competitive examination at the Collège Stanislas in Latin and French speech. He began studying law in Stasbourg, but dropped out and joined forces with the publisher Paulin to set up his first publishing house. Others followed, including one during his exile in Brussels, where he edited Victor Hugo. Autograph letter signed to Ambroise Thomas: "...Serait-il possible de faire entendre Mr Remonye au Conservatoire, de l'y aider ...".