Racine entered the service for strategic affairs and disarmament in the Ministry of Foreign Relations (1983–1986) before joining the cabinet of Jacques Chirac, Prime Minister as a 'chargé de mission' (1986–1988).

He then followed him to Matignon as "chargé de mission auprès du Premier ministre", with particular concern for the cultural and strategic portfolios (1995–1997).

Promoted to conseiller maître à la Cour des comptes (1996), Racine became director of the French Academy in Rome (1997–2002) before being named president of the Centre Georges-Pompidou (2002).

In March 2007, Racine was made president of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, to take effect on 2 April 2007, succeeding Jean-Noël Jeanneney, who had reached the age limit for that post.

[2] Following his departure in 2016, Racine was succeeded as president of the Bibliothèque nationale de France by Laurence Engel, who took up the post on the 11 April 2016.