But Le Pen has also proved to be a serious candidate in western France, making huge gains in areas around Le Mans and even stealing Macron’s largest share of the vote in many districts. Its growing appeal, as part of an active effort to tarnish the image of the far right and its policies, is evidenced by the fact that in 2017 it garnered less than 20 percent of the vote in half of the French provinces in the first round. This year, it earned less than 20 percent in just one of seven areas.