After studying with the Lyonese architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot, Petitot entered the School of the Académie Royale d'Architecture in Paris where he obtained the Premier Grand Prix in 1745 which enabled him to study at the Academy in Rome fron 1746 to 1750. Following his return to Paris he was appointed architect to the Duke of Parma in 1753 and published two influencial series of prints of Vases in 1764 and a Masquarade à la Grecque in 1770