Robert Rigot took courses in art from the School of Applied Arts in Paris from the age of 15. In 1924, he published his first work in La Dépêche Médicale. He then joined the Atelier Robys in Paris, and spent his military service in Strasbourg, where he drew caricatures and illustrations for his regiment. Back in civil life, he went to work at the atelier of Georges Lang in 1930, and did art on several advertising campaigns. From 1938, he was associated with the publishing house Gordinne, where he illustrated children's books.