Francis came from a well established family who lived in the mountainous region between Geneva and Annecy. After schooling in Annecy and Paris and legal studies in Padua, he was ordained in 1593. Francis began his ministry by a period of missionary work among the Calvinists on the southern shores of Lake Geneva, a diocese which was generally regarded as difficult and scattered.

Francis became Bishop of Geneva and at one time was not allowed into Geneva by the Calvinists. He founded the Order of the Visitation at Annecy. The visiting side of this Orders work has been taken over and developed by St. Vincent de Paul and his Sisters of Charity.

In the testimony of St. Jeanne Francoise de Chantal to the Congregation of Rights considering the question of St. Francis' canonisation, she says, "He never put himself forward to say what he thought or to back up his own opinions: he would gladly defer to the views of other people and never contradict or argue. He gave way to what others thought except where the service of God or the good of his neighbour might have been endangered; in such matters he was firm without, however, disregarding any opposing views or statements and agreeing and giving approval where possible".