The eldest son of a draper, Nicolas had been sent to school in Paris. During his first term studying law in Paris, Nicolas fell in love with the violin. Subsequently, he dropped everything and even took lessons from Wolfgang Mozart. He did nothing but play the violin until he failed his examinations.

Nicolas befriends Lestat when they are both mortals, and presents to him a fur-lined coat and boots as a token of the townspeople's appreciation for him killing the wolves. Together, in 1779, they go to Paris, where they join a small theatre.

He grows bitter after Lestat becomes a vampire, drinking heavily, and Armand's coven abducts Nicolas in an attempt to lure Lestat to them. Despite warnings from Gabrielle, Lestat makes Nicolas a vampire (in 1780), which only makes Nicolas more depressed. He reveals to Lestat that they were supposed to fail in Paris and that he despises him.

He goes on to become one of the creators of the Théâtre des Vampires, writing plays, where Armand must eventually restrain him in order to control him. Armand even removes Nicolas hands, to prevent him from playing the violin. In 1789, Nicolas destroys himself in fire.