With a bachelor's degree in letters and philosophy from the Academy of Poitiers, he emigrated to Quebec in 1955. He was welcomed there by his brother, the actor and storyteller André Cailloux (1920-2002), who preceded him by 4 years. Initially a teacher, he turned quite early to writing for television. Passionate about magic, he joined Radio-Canada in 1956 to create and embody the character of Michel le Magicien in La Boîte à surprise, a flagship children's show which aired for fifteen years (1956-1971). He was also the editor of Bobino (1959-1986), a program for which he produced more than 5,000 texts. In addition to Bobino, he collaborates on the script of several cult youth series on Radio-Canada, including Picolo, Nic et Pic, Marie Quat’Poches and La Souris Verte.

He still has to his credit teleplays, around twenty books and albums, and as many discs, including 4 on music, qualified as essential educational tools by the Ministry of Education. In 1989, he visited schools in Quebec and New Brunswick to lead writing workshops focused on the themes of storytelling, history and heritage. Co-founder of the Laval Literary Society, he was its vice-president for 5 years.

Throughout his career, the screenwriter has remained concerned about quality French, respectful of children's intelligence and connected to their thirst for discovery. Over time he became an author, speaker, storyteller, presenter and painter. He was decorated with the Order of Canada in 2002 and made a knight of the National Order of Quebec in 2006. Michel Cailloux died on September 3, 2012 at the age of 80, leaving to mourn his countless admirers, made up of “toddlers” who grew up with his overflowing imagination.