After the revolution of February 1848 he was elected deputy for the department of the Vosges, and in the Assembly sat on the right, pronouncing for the repression of the insurrection of June 1848 and for Louis Napoleon Bonaparte.

Re-elected deputy in 1863, he was one of the supporters of the "Liberal Empire" of Émile Ollivier, and was finance minister in Ollivier's cabinet from January to 10 April 1870.

Having made himself obnoxious to the Republican party, he failed to secure a reëlection to the Assembly in 1876.

Then, elected senator for life (1876), he pronounced himself in favour of President MacMahon's failed attempt to seize political control on 16 May 1877.

Buffet had some oratorical talent, but shone most in opposition.