[1] Born into a farming family in Villedieu-les-Poêles, Lower Normandy, Sophie Quinton studied drama at the Millet High School in Cherbourg.

The films Peau d' Ane and La nuit americaine inspired her love of cinema.

After leaving school, Quinton joined a small street-theatre group.

She first came to the attention of critics in two short films by Gerald Hustache-Mathieu: Peau de Vache (for which she won the award for Best Performance at the Clermont-Ferrand Festival) and La Chatte Andalouse.

Quinton was introduced to a wider audience when she played the heroine in Qui a tué Bambi ?