Baraguey d'Hilliers was born in Paris, the son of the French revolutionary general Louis Baraguey d'Hilliers. He was educated at the Prytanée National Militaire and joined the French army and took part in the Russian campaign of 1812, in 1813 he served as aide-de-camp to Marshal Marmont in the battle of Möckern, where he lost his left hand. Promoted to captain in 1815, he fought at Quatre Bras. In 1823, he served in the campaign to restore Bourbon power in Spain, where he remained until 1825.