Born in Constantine, French Algeria,[2] the daughter of stage actress Janine Henry and artillery general Charles Gautsch; she had two brothers.

While her father continued military service in Morocco, the rest of the family moved to Paris, Provisional Government of the French Republic, in 1945.

After studying drama in Paris, she was noticed by director Willy Rozier, who offered her a major role in the film L'Épave (1949).

[3] Later in life, she moved into television, appearing in various TV movies and mini-series and also turning to character parts.

[4] In 1956, Arnoul married publicity agent Georges Cravenne, whom she had met two years previously; they separated in 1960.