Ballière attended the National School of Fine Arts with his sights set on a career in architecture. He participated in the construction of the Dôme des Invalides. In addition to being a Freemason, he was a republican who fought in the Franco-Prussian War. During the Paris Commune, he supported the Freemason attempt at mediation. However, he was arrested in his home on 18 June 1871, and was sentenced on 7 November 1871 to simple deportation. He was incarcerated at Satory camp at Fort d'Issy, before arriving at Fort Boyard and finally at Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
