Georges Briguet, who founded three highly regarded Manhattan restaurants — Le Perigord, Le Perigord Park, and La Reserve — between 1966 and 1983, died of a heart-related illness at home in Montauk on July 26. He was 85.
Mr. Briguet was born in Valais, Switzerland, on Feb. 22, 1937, to Francois and Noellie Briguet, whose ancestors, his family said, had tended vineyards in the Alps for seven centuries. He attended the Ecole Tamey in Sion, and came to New York in 1960. He and his wife, the former Marie-Therese Couteller, married in January 1961, “five months after their first dance.”
They took a day trip to Montauk in 1963 and found themselves, according to family lore, in awe of the place. With their children, they spent many summer vacations in the hamlet before building a house in Hither Hills in 1986, and later on East Lake Drive.
“Georges always called himself a ‘mountain man,’ “ the family wrote, “but in his heart, he was truly a son of Montauk. Georges loved nothing more than swimming, taking long hikes, gazing at the lake, clamming, finding oysters, and harvesting rose hips and beach plums.”
Before opening his first restaurant, Le Perigord, Mr. Briguet had worked at the Waldorf Astoria and La Grenouille, another destination for fine French food. Le Perigord closed in 2018 after 52 years. Together, said the family, his three restaurants served “several million patrons and friends” over the years. All three are closed now; Le Perigord was the last.
The Briguets worked side by side for 40 years. One patron is reported to have remarked that “Georges’s charm and gentility spreads to the loyal waitstaff, who treat each patron as if he or she were royalty.”
In addition to his love for classic French cuisine, Mr. Briguet was passionate about wines and skiing. After his retirement in 2018, his family said, he spent many happy mornings at the Montauk Library.
His wife of 61 years survives, as do his four children, Jean-Luc Briguet and Christopher Briguet, both of New York City, Eric Briguet of Manhasset, and Mireille Le Gall of Eastchester, N.Y. He also leaves seven grandchildren — Kevin, Nicole, Stephanie, Andrew, Claudia, Noelle, and Emily — and two sisters, Berthe Metral and Lilly Demont, both of whom live in Switzerland.
Funeral services were held on July 30 at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk, the Rev. Louis Cona officiating. Burial followed at Fort Hill Cemetery there. A memorial service will be held in Manhattan in the fall.
Memorial donations can be directed to the Montauk Library, 871 Montauk Highway, Montauk 11954.
