He was born in Liège as the son of John Gaspar Ferdinand de Marchin, Comte de Granville and Marie de Balzac d'Entragues. Marsin served in Flanders, and was wounded at the Battle of Fleurus (1690). He took part in the Battle of Neerwinden and the siege of Charleroi. In 1701–1702 he was French ambassador in Spain. In the War of the Spanish Succession, he was present at the Battle of Luzzara. He became marshal in 1703, after the battle of Speyerbach. He was a good officer.