Raymond Thuilier, the chef who founded the Oustau de Baumaniere, one of the fine restaurants of France, died Sunday at his home in Carita, near Les Baux-de-Provence. He was 96.
Mr. Thuilier opened his luxury hotel-restaurant in a converted sheep farm at Les Baux in 1946 and ran it until 1990, when he was succeeded by his grandson, Jean-Andre Charial. Mr. Thuilier was known for his multiple courses and distinct sauces.
In 1954, Baumaniere won Michelin’s three-star rating, which it kept for 35 years.
Since 1971, Mr. Thuilier served as mayor of Les Baux, a hilltop village of 450 inhabitants, which has become a tourist attraction in southern France.
He was born in Chambery, Savoie, and studied law at Lyons. After many years as a civil servant, he began his restaurant career at Les Baux.
A renowned chef, he took part in many gastronomic events in France and abroad and was the author of several books and many articles.
