Abstract Background Infectious diseases (ID) physicians are more needed than ever to tackle existing and emerging global threats. However, in the US approximately one quarter of the ID fellowship programs are unfilled every year. The creation of the ID residency in 2017 in France offers the opportunity to know how and why the specialty is chosen by medical students. Methods We first analyzed the choice of specialty of all French medical students in 2017 and 2018 according to their rank at the national exam that ends medical studies. A web questionnaire was then sent on January 2019 to all ID residents in France (n=100) to assess their professional project and the factors influencing their choice of specialty. Results We analyzed the choice of 17,087 medical students. ID was the first-chosen specialty with a median national rank of 526/8539, followed by plastic surgery and ophthalmology. The questionnaire was completed by 90% of the French ID residents. The most encouraging factors to choose ID were the multi-system approach of the specialty, the importance of diagnostic medicine and having done an internship in ID during medical school. The most dissuading factors were the work-life balance, the workload and the salary. Conclusions The recent recognition of ID as a qualifying specialty in France can be considered a success insofar as the specialty is the most popular among all medical and surgical specialties. Individuals who choose ID are attracted by the intellectual simulation of the specialty but express concerns about the working conditions and salaries.