Francis Lai, the French composer best known for his themes for the movies “Love Story” and “A Man and a Woman,” died on Wednesday. He was 86.

His death was announced by France’s Culture Ministry, which did not say where he died or specify the cause.

Born on April 6, 1932, in Nice, France, Mr. Lai was a self-taught musician who began his career playing piano and accordion. He worked as the singer Édith Piaf’s accompanist in Paris and later wrote songs for her, Yves Montand and others.