Buffet was born in Paris, France, studied art at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts (National School of Fine Arts) and worked in the studio of the painter Eugène Narbonne. Among his companions were Maurice Boitel and Louis Vuillermoz.

Hired exclusively by Emmanuel David, then extended to Maurice Garnier, who guaranteed him regular exhibitions, Buffet produced religious pieces, landscapes, portraits and some still lifes.

Buffet married writer and singer Annabel Schwob. A disciple of Buffet, Jean Claude Gaugy, was the father of Linear Expressionism.

He committed suicide at his home in Tourtour, southern France, on October 4, 1999. Buffet was suffering from Parkinson’s and was unable to work. Police said Buffet died around 4 p.m. after putting his head in a plastic bag tied around his neck with a ribbon.