Pingré was born in Paris but was educated by the canons regular of the Abbey of St. Vincent in Senlis, Oise, where he entered the community at the age of sixteen.

[1] In 1745 King Louis XV called a General Chapter of the Congregation of Canons Regular of St. Genevieve to which Pingré belonged.

[1] Unfortunately Pingré suffered from poor health and eyesight, so his observing skills were limited, but he did earn a reputation as an excellent mathematician.

During the 1761 transit of Venus, Pingré went on one of the three observing campaigns organized by the Académie Royale, travelling to Rodrigues Island near Madagascar, which was unsuccessful.

He was able to continue publishing his work until his death in 1796, however, through the support of fellow astronomer, Jérôme Lalande, who obtained for him a grant of 3,000 francs from the National Assembly.