 Darcos was born on 14 July 1947 in Limoges to Jean-Gabriel Darcos and Anne-Marie Banvillet.After getting a PhD in Latin studies from the University of Bordeaux under the direction of Jean-Pierre Néraudau and becoming a professor emeritus in letters and social sciences, he started teaching in 1968, first in Périgueux, then in a Bordeaux "khâgne" from 1982 to 1987, and finally at the lycée Louis-le-Grand, Paris from 1987 to 1992.In 1989 he became deputy to the Mayor of Périgueux.