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The intellectual debate surrounding entrepreneurial failure in France and abroad is currently being enriched through recent work by economists, sociologists, philosophers and practitioners. This article addresses this theme from a sociological perspective, situating the phenomenon in the backdrop of a societal context. Long hidden from the public eye, entrepreneurial failure is becoming increasingly visible in European societies, and its virtues are only just starting to being recognized. It brings together highly heterogeneous situations, which always result from an array of social classifications. Faced with the breadth of the phenomenon, public policies are called upon to seize the topic and suggest solutions, such as the securing of entrepreneurial paths. The involvement of heads of established companies with young entrepreneurs proves to be crucial.