Maréchal was a famous aviator and was on Titanic to travel to the United States to finalise a contract for aviation components. 

He befriended other passengers on his journey and on the night of the disaster he was playing cards with Paul Chevré, Alfred Omont and Lucien Smith. Maréchal recalled the game being in his stateroom where other survivors state it was in the Café Parisien or even "the saloon".

Maréchal escaped onthe first lifeboat to be launched, lifeboat 7, with Chevré and Omont. He reportedly jumped into the lowering lifeboat.