In 1874, following the death of Eugène Lavenant, Raspail took over as Mayor of Arcueil as "premier conseiller inscrit au tableau".

As member of the council for Seine for the Republican left, Raspail proposed the law, on 21 May 1880, which made 14 July a national holiday in commemoration of the storming of the Bastille and the Fête de la Fédération.

He also proposed the law to seize the crown jewels from the monarchy, which was passed on 11 January 1887.

He lost a leg, which had to be amputated, following a chase in Épinay by a stone-throwing mob.

Upon his death, Raspail bequeathed his estate in Cachan to become a retirement home for people with work-related disabilities, and also a museum which would house his father's political documents and painting collection, as well as his own painting collection.