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Devoting a share of one’s electoral campaign communication to attacking an opponent is a proven practice among candidates. Yet research about this practice in the field of political communication studies has not developed in an equivalent manner throughout the world. Numerous empirical studies and concepts first emerged early on in the United States, then later with renewed hypothesis in Europe. However, this field of research is almost non-existent in France despite attacks against opponents being clearly identified there as a recurring and sometimes intensive phenomenon, particularly in connection with partisan and ideological motives. This special report examines the possible specificities of negative campaigning in France, from the point of view of the works that are beginning to address this research field, as well as the study of the 2017 presidential election.