Raphaël Bischoffsheim is a banker.
He is elected deputy of the Alpes Maritimes several times and support the left wing gouvernements of Gambetta, and Jules Ferry.
Donator and astronomy lover, he pays completely with his own money the building of the Nice observatory. He had also given money to build the Pic du Midi, the Meudon and the Paris observatories.
The lower part of the Grande Corniche going to the observatory bears his name.