He travelled extensively in India, western China, and the Tibetan border regions.
The Tibetological career of Jacques Bacot began from a round the world trip which he made in 1904 and from an expedition to Tibet in 1906, starting from Tonkin, in the course of which he followed a pilgrimage route which must have put him in intimate contact with the religious life of Tibet.
Jacques Bacot explored various Asian countries: and travelled extensively in India, in the east of China, and the border regions of Tibet.
Jacques Bacot was named director of studies (directeur d'études) of Tibetan at l'École pratique des hautes études in 1936.
The paintings and bronzes which he acquired in his various expeditions are now held at the Guimet Museum in Paris, which he donated to in 1912.