He was born in Dijon. As a page of King Francis I, he was made prisoner by the Imperials in the Battle of Pavia (1525). Later he distinguished himself in the War of Provence and in Battle of Ceresole of 1544. De Saulx had also a role in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre on August 24, 1572. In the October of the same year he was appointed as governor of Provence and Admiral of the Levant. He died in his castle at Sully, and was buried in the Sainte Chapelle of Dijon. His memoirs are an important primary source for the period.