Ruchet was born as the son of Charles, a teacher, and Lina Elise (
née Bäurlin). He studied law in Lausanne and Heidelberg and earned a licence at the
University of Lausanne in 1875. In the office of
Louis Ruchonnet, Ruchet gained first experience in the legal area and was admitted to the bar in 1878. From 1886 until 1888 he sat on the board of directors of the
Western Switzerland Railways, and from 1890 until 1899 on the board of the
Jura–Simplon Railways. Elected to the Federal Council in 1899, he minted the federal law on the forestry services (1902). After the death of his wife his bad health deteriorated further. Only a few days after stepping down in 1912, Ruchet died. ==References==