Born in Paris, he emigrated during the French Revolution, came back during the First French Empire, and received the title of chef de cohorte from Napoleon.

On August 22, 1805, he married Thérésa de Cabarrus, aka. Madame Tallien, former wife of Jean Lambert Tallien. Their children were:

1. Joseph Philippe (1808-1886), 17th Prince de Chimay, Prince de Caraman
2. Michel Gabriel Alphonse Ferdinand (1810-1865) - father of Marie-Clotilde-Elisabeth Louise de Riquet, comtesse de Mercy-Argenteau
3. Marie Auguste Louise Thérèse Valentine (1815-1876)

François-Joseph-Philippe de Riquet died in Toulouse on March 2 1843. He and Thérésa were interred under the sacristy of the church of Chimay.