Carrière was born in Colombières-sur-Orb, France, the son of Alice and Felix Carrière, a farmer. He published his first novel, Lézard, in 1957. He was introduced to Jacques Tati, who had him write short novels based on his films. Through Tati, he met Pierre Étaix, with whom Carrière wrote and directed several films, including Heureux Anniversaire, which won them the Academy Award for Best Short Subject. His nineteen-year collaboration with Buñuel began with the film Diary of a Chambermaid (1964); he co-wrote the screenplay with Buñuel and also played the part of a village priest. Carrière and the Director would collaborate on the scripts of nearly all Buñuel's later films, including Belle de Jour (1967), The Milky Way (1969), The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972), The Phantom of Liberty (1974) and That Obscure Object of Desire (1977).