Born in Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine, France, Sautet first studied painting and sculpture before attending a film university in Paris where he began his career and later became a television producer.
Lahir di Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine, Prancis, Sautet mula-mula belajar melukis dan mengukir sebelum masuk universitas film di Paris dimana ia memulai kariernya dan kemudian menjadi produser televisi.