The son of a physician, Richepin began the study of medicine but gave it up in order to study literature at the École Normale. He left school without a degree and for a time wandered about France. His first book of poetry, La Chanson des gueux (“Song of the Poor”), was published in 1876. Local authorities responded to its coarse language by sentencing him to a month in prison.

Despite criticism, Richepin continued to write in his tough style. He defended his choice of language by saying it could be argued that it was unnecessary and repugnant but it was not immoral. His works of poetry include Les Caresses (1877), Les Blasphèmes (1884), and La Mer (1886). He wrote three novels and a number of successful plays. Elected to the French Academy in 1908, he later became a director.