It is close enough to the limb that it appears significantly foreshortened when viewed from the Earth, even though it is nearly circular in shape.

The outer parts of this crater has become eroded by smaller impacts, and several small craterlets lie along the rim or the inner wall.

The interior floor is a relatively featureless expanse, with only a low rise in the center and a small craterlet toward the northern rim.

The crater was named in 1935 after Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc (1580–1637), the French astronomer, antiquary and savant.

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Peirescius.