Born in Metz, Hilaire moved to Paris to study at L’Ecole des Beaux-Arts and worked in Andre Lhote’s studio. Hilaire was named professor of drawing at Ecole des Beaux-Art in Paris in 1958 after having taught at Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Nancy. His art won many prizes and was exhibited widely in Europe and he had one-man exhibits in New York in 1954 and 1956. His works vary from paintings, murals, tapestries, and stained glasses to mosaics.