Michel was born in
Paris,
France. Because of his wayward behaviour, he was sent by his father to
Mettray Penal Colony, a private reformatory near
Tours, for six months during 1876. By the age of 19, he caused a scandal by eloping with an actress despite his famous father's objections. By 1883, his father was reconciled to the marriage and Michel got married—only to abandon his newlywed wife and begin a relationship with 16-year-old Jeanne Reboul, with whom he had two children before his divorce was finalized. These and other issues strained the relationship between Michel and his father, but by the time Jules died in 1905, relations between them had improved and they had collaborated on some stories. ==Career==