Painter, printmaker, and illustrator Paul Baudier was born in Paris, France, on November 18, 1881. His formal art training began with an apprenticeship under his uncle Edmond Duplessis, an engraver. He then went on to study at the Academie Julian under Eugene Dete, and took a position as an illustrator for La Vie Illustree. He participated in his first major exhibition in 1900 at the "Salon des artistes francais" where he won an award for his woodengraving "Portrait of Madame Baudier, Mother." He would continue to exhibit there throughout his early career. Around this time he won the Meilleur Ouvier de France before engaging in his conscripted military service. 

Just prior to the First World War Baudier married and moved to Gentilly, where he and his wife started a family. In 1914 he was mobilized by the French Army as war broke out and almost immediately became wounded and taken prisoner by the Germans, remaining for two years in a prisoner-of-war camp. After his release in 1916 he moved his family to Switzerland, where he began a series of works in paint and in print relating to his time as a prisoner, as well as Swiss landscapes that he would then exhibit in Geneva. 

Baudier would continue to visit France, immersing himself in the art world of Paris and Chatillon, becoming a part of the Groupe de Atelier Lachenal. He also became of a member of the Societe des artistes francais, later serving as president. In 1927 he relocated with his family to Chatillon and built a studio and gallery where he not only continued working on his personal artwork but began teaching printmaking, as well. After his wife died in 1929 he traveled throughout France to record various villages and cities for Jules Michelet's Tableau de France. This would lead to a variety of suites featuring regions of France and the Swiss Alps, among them his most well known, La Cite des Eaux, 1946, with accompanying text by Henri de Regnier. He illustrated a variety of publications throughout his career, as well.

In 1948 Baudier was awarded the Chevalier des la Legion d'honneur. He died in Chatillon on December 9, 1962.

Awards and mentions:
Meilleur Ouvrier de France (1900); Honorable mention, Salon des artistes francois (1903); silver medal, Salon des artistes francois (1906, 1923); gold medal, Paris International Exhibition (1927); Medal of HOnor, Salon des artistes francois (1943).