He was born in Besancon, France.
Peclet became one of the first scholars of the École Normale at Paris with Gay-Lussac and Dulong being his teachers. In 1816, he was elected professor at the College de Marseille and taught physical sciences there until 1827. Being nominated Maitre de conferences at the École Normale, he returned to Paris and was elected professor at the École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures.
The Péclet number is named after him.
He died in Paris.