Cadot was born and raised in Lens, in northern France. He took an interest in fencing after watching it on television. He took up the sport at the age of seven at his local club under maestro Fabrice Vanhems. He won the U14 French national championship, ranked 9th at the 2003 World Cadet Championships in Trapani and took a double silver medal at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Taebaek City. He finished the 2005–06 season World No.7 in junior rankings.
