Nougayrède first began reporting in 1991 and covered topics in Eastern Europe. She joined the French newspaper "Libération" in 1995 before joining "Le Monde" in 1997. She became known for her coverage of Russian news and won two awards, the 2004 Prix de la Presse Diplomatique and the 2005 Albert Londres Prize, for her coverage on the Second Chechen War and the Beslan school siege.