Paul Richaud was born in Versailles, and there attended the major seminary before going to Rome to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

Ordained to the priesthood on 28 June 1913, he then finished his studies in 1915 at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum where he obtained a doctorate in philosophy.

Pope John XXIII created him Cardinal Priest of Santi Quirico e Giulitta in the consistory of 15 December 1958.

During his tenure at Bordeaux, Richaud expanded parochial schools and gave the laity a more prominent role.

[2] He attended the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965, and was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 1963 papal conclave that selected Pope Paul VI.