A museum and library dedicated to the late chef Michel Roux is to be opened next to The Waterside Inn, the classic French restaurant he founded 50 years ago in the village of Bray, on the River Thames west of London.

Michel and his older brother Albert became dominant figures in British gastronomy with the opening of Le Gavroche in London in 1967 and the Waterside Inn five years later. They split the business in 1986, with Michel taking the Waterside and passing it on to his son, Alain, in 2002. Michel died two years ago at the age of 78.

Albert, who died last year, retained Le Gavroche, eventually passing it to his son, confusingly also called Michel, or – marginally less confusingly – Michel Roux Jr.

News of the planned museum emerged in the Waterside Inn group’s annual report, which noted the acquisition of a neighbouring freehold property scheduled to be used for a cookery school, video studio and offices as well as the museum and library.

The group has also acquired Roux at Skindles, a brasserie and cocktail bar in nearby Taplow, from the Michel Roux estate.