[2] Born Marcelle Jeanine Saunier in Nancy, France, she moved with her family in 1940 to the Free Zone in Annecy.

In 1954, she won the "Grand Prix du Disque", a famous French award, for the song "L'Homme", again by Ferré.

On tour in Canada, she made the acquaintance of Gilles Vigneault, who wrote "Mon Pays, Le Corbeau, la Manikoutai" for her.

[2] Arriving in Paris, she adopted the surname Sauvage, borrowed from a childhood friend, and, began studying drama: She also performed at the cabarets L'Arlequin at 131 bis, boulevard Saint-Germain, then at L'Écluse at 15, Quai des Grands Augustins, in the 6th arrondissement.

Aragon, one of her favorite poets, wrote about her: "And suddenly with her voice, like a gift, every word makes complete sense."