From 1980 to 1982, she studied at the National School of Arts and Theatre Technique (ENSATT) in Lyon, then from 1982 until 1985, at the French National Academy of Dramatic Arts, studying under Michel Bouquet, Claude Régy, and Bernard Dort.

From March 2008, Mayette was part of the commission led by Hugues Gall initiated by Minister of Culture Christine Albanel, to provide the post of director of the Villa Medici in Rome.

Mayette joined the Comédie-Française on 15 September 1985, at the age of 20, and she became a sociétaire on 1 January 1988.

A teacher at the French National Academy of Dramatic Arts, she also directed eight productions, of which the last was the play "Le Retour au désert" (Return to the Desert) by Bernard-Marie Koltès.

Mayette was appointed administrateur général of Comédie-Française from 4 August 2006, replacing Marcel Bozonnet.