Obituary: Luc Meyer
Provided Photo
April 29, 1942 – February 28, 2025
Luc Meyer had a passionate joie de vivre that fueled him to explore every corner of the world and pursue the American dream with steadfast determination. He was relentless in his pursuit of excellence as a restaurateur, building a loyal customer base that included celebrities, presidents, a king, and most importantly to him, life-long friends. Luc loved the natural beauty and sense of community he found in the Vail Valley. He nourished his soul climbing mountain tops, fly fishing the Eagle River, skiing the slopes of Vail, and enjoying good meals and wine in the company of his cherished family and friends.
Luc was born in France on April 29, 1942 during the turmoil of the Second World War. While his family hailed from Strasbourg, not far from the German border, Luc was born hundreds of miles away in Clermont Ferrand when his family was displaced during the war. After returning to Strasbourg with his family, Luc’s rambunctious behavior earned him a spot in boarding school at College St. Joseph in Matzenheim when he was eight. After finishing high school at Lycee Fustel de Coulanges in Strasbourg, his mother’s cooking inspired him to pursue the culinary arts. At 17 he started his first apprenticeship at Madame Point’s La Pyramide, a Michelin 3 Star restaurant in Vienne, south of Lyon. He furthered his apprentice at Michelin 3 Star l’Ousteau de Baumaniere in Les Baux-de-Provence, before being drafted into the French army in 1962 at the age of 20. He served with the Alpine Division in Chambery, in charge of the kitchen serving 800 soldiers.
After his service in the army, Luc’s adventurous spirit took him farther and farther from home. He worked several years at restaurants in Switzerland, Canada, and the Bahamas, where he met the love of his life, Liz. In 1968, Luc moved to St. Croix, Virgin Islands to run food and beverage operations at the newly opened Hotel on the Cay. Liz joined him in St. Croix where they were married in 1969. Intent on starting their family, the couple set their sights on Colorado, ultimately settling in the burgeoning ski town of Vail.
It was in Vail that Luc realized his life’s dream of building and operating his own restaurant when he and Liz established the Left Bank Restaurant on Thanksgiving of 1970. During the 1970s, Luc also operated Café Manor Vail, the Lord Gore Restaurant, and Vail Racquet Club in East Vail. In 1982, he opened Mirabelle restaurant at Beaver Creek. In 2005, he opened Mako’s, Vail’s first Japanese restaurant, which subsequently became Osaki’s. After 36 years in business, Luc and Liz sold the Left Bank Restaurant to their sous-chef, Jean Michel Chelain, in 2006. Their love for the restaurant business endured, and in 2018 they opened La Nonna Ristorante with Simone Reatti and Mira Hozzova.
On February 28, 2025, Luc’s 27-year battle with cancer ended. He devoted himself to the pursuit of his dreams, the well-being of his loved ones, and in service to the community of Vail. He passed peacefully at his home surrounded by family. Luc is survived by his darling wife of 55 years, Liz, sons Nicholas and Hugo, grandchildren James, Luc T., Sacha, and Christian, brothers Jean Philipe and Stephane, sister Martine, and numerous nieces and nephews in France. His effervescent charm will be greatly missed.
The Meyer family invites all who knew Luc to gather for a celebration of his life this summer at the Ford Amphitheater. Date to be announced. And don’t forget…NO CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED!!
For those of you who are so inclined, please consider a donation to the Shaw Cancer Center, 322 Beard Creek Road, Edwards, CO 81632 in lieu of flowers.
