Objectives: This study examined the prevalence and characteristics of attempted suicide (AS) among a representative sample of French Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals. Method: In 2003, a face-to-face survey was conducted among people living with HIV (PLWHA) selected in a random, stratified sample of French hospital departments. Among solicited individuals, 2,932 agreed to participate and were asked if they had ever AS. Results: Among the respondents, 23% had AS. Female gender, younger age, native French citizenship, reporting household financial difficulties, having been HIV-contaminated through homosexual contact or through IDU and suffering from lipodystrophy-related symptoms were all independently associated with AS. HIV-discrimination and the lack of social support from family remained independently associated with AS. Conclusions: The findings indicate a high level of AS among PLWHA and emphasize the multiple roles of factors associated with living with HIV, together with socio-demographic factors. Our results enable the possibility for vulnerable groups to be targeted for specific future interventions in order to prevent AS.