Born on 11 June 1791 as the eldest son of the Secretary of the Imperial Lottery Board, Josef Partsch and Katharina Partsch, née Martini. Paul Partsch received a solid education and initially studied law at the University of Vienna, following an old family tradition. In accordance with the wish of his guardian Ignaz von Krehs, he subsequently studied judicature and agriculture at Göttweig Abbey. It is here that he came into contact with the earth sciences. Once back in Vienna, Partsch made the acquaintance of the Director of the Mineralogical Cabinet, Carl von Schreibers, via the curator at the time, Rochus Schüch. As a result, he devoted himself intensely to the geological and mineralogical exploration of Lower Austria, aided by the Lower Austrian Diets.

From 1816 until 1824, Partsch worked as a voluntary clerk at the Imperial Natural History Collection. In 1824 he became a guardian and in 1835, he became curator. His last post was as Director of the Imperial Mineralogical Cabinet. He died in Vienna on 3 October 1856.