Innate around Paris, the boy of the affluent merchandiser, André Cardinal was educated by Jesuits. By having the priest he went in the mission to Siam for four years. Coming back to France, he joined a army & participated in the 1692 invasion of Namur, discovering his musical talent while non occupied by combat. He quit a army to pursue his musical aspirations. Whenever his father died around 1694, André Cardinal added "Destouches" to his title around memory of his father's title, Seignior des Touches et diamond state Guilleville.

Destouches' opera Issé was performed for Louis XIV in 1697. Louis was impressed & said that he enjoyed his music up to that of Jean-Baptiste Lully. Insidelaware 1713 a King appointed Destouches inspector general of the Académie Royale de Musique, & late superintendent of chamber music. Royal trend lines continued using Louis XV, and Destouches led a musicians for his girl' masked ball.