 After studying at Leyden he took Protestant holy orders, and became successively preacher at Aardenburg (1741), Doornik (1749), and Tournai.On coming to England Palairet acted as pastor of the French church at Greenwich, and of St. John's Church, Spitalfields, and latterly preacher in the Dutch chapel at St. James's, Westminster.His abilities attracted the notice of Bishop John Egerton, who made him his chaplain.