Mentré is a graduate of the École Polytechnique.[2] He holds a law degree and a DSS (Diplôme d'études supérieures en France [fr]) in economics.[2] After school, he worked for the Inspection générale des finances.[2] In 1971, he was named deputy director of the cabinet of Valéry Giscard d'Estaing; he served until 1973.[2] In 1973, he was appointed Director of Crédit National; he served until 1975.[2] In 1975, he was named general delegate for energy and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Agence pour les économies d'énergie [fr]; he served in both roles until 1978.[2] He was then financial advisor to the French embassy in Canada and the United States and administrator of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank; he served in this role until 1981.[2] In 1986, he served as an advisor to René Thomas, then president of the Banque Nationale de Paris.[2] In 1987, he was named Managing Director and then CEO of Crédit National, where he served until 1990.[2] In 1992, he was appointed to head the board of SICAV Valréal, created in 1982 by Paribas, Groupe Banque Populaire, and the Caisse des Dépôts, succeeding André Battestini.[2] In 1995, he was elected President of the Communauté de communes Cœur Côte Fleurie succeeding Pierre Lepeudry; he served until 2008, when he was replaced by Philippe Augier.[2]
