François-Louis was ordained a priest in 1735 after completing his studies at the Jesuit college in Grenoble and a seminary in Paris.

In March, 1739, Louis XV appointed him to succeed Bishop Pierre Hermann Dosquet from Quebec.

A fever broke out when they reached the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and quickly spread through the lower status passengers.

At the request of the Intendant of New France, Gilles Hocquart, Pourroy de Lauberivière disembarked at Île-aux-Coudres to make his way to Quebec and arrived there on August 8, 1740.

He began the usual round of welcomes including dinners with the Intendant and governor Beauharnois.