Brouillan spent his early career as a captain in the colonial regular troops before being appointed Governor of Placentia in 1689. Arriving in Newfoundland in the summer of 1691, he proceeded to strengthen and expand the fortifications at Placentia. Little more than a year after his arrival Brouillan and his troops (though short of gun powder and cannon balls) successfully resisted an invading force of 24 English ships.
While back in France in 1695, Brouillan pressed his earlier recommendation that an expedition be organized against the English at St. John's. Brouillan was sent back to Newfoundland in command of ten ships of 300-400 men, with orders to attack by sea while Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville attacked by land. As d'Iberville had not appeared by September as expected, Brouillan acted alone, capturing Bay Bulls, Ferryland, and Fermuse, but failing in his attempt to take St. John's. Returning to Placentia on October 17, with a booty of 30 fishing vessels, a quantity of codfish and some prisoners, Brouillan and d'Iberville began planning a winter campaign against St. John's, which resulted in the surrender of Fort William. Brouillan spent the next four years in France, but continued to receive a salary as the Governor of Plaisance. Appointed to a command in Acadia in 1701, he died at Guysborough, Nova Scotia in 1705.