Born in Saint-Brieuc, she competed in running competitions at a young age and won her first international medal at the 1985 European Athletics Junior Championships, taking the 1500 metres silver medal behind Ana Padurean (who won the world junior title a year later). She made her first impression at senior level two years later by winning the 3000 metres title at the French Athletics Championships – her run of 8:56.18 minutes was the first time a woman had dipped under nine minutes at the competition. Her senior global debut followed at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics a month later and she placed 14th overall in the event. She ended that year with a win at the Cross Du Figaro.