It did happen. Here are some links:
Early in her campaign for the Socialist nomination, Royal faced a series of highly publicized comments considered sexist by many, but her rivals on the left and the right soon realized that voters might punish rather than reward such attacks.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/11/17/news/france.php
Ms. Royal’s victory followed months of mudslinging and maneuvering in a campaign that pitted her against the party’s older, more established — and male — “elephants,” whom she had dared to challenge.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/17/world/europe/17france.html
Ségolène Royal has appealed to the French Socialist party to "heal its differences" today as members choose their presidential candidate in a primary race marred by bickering and accusations of dirty tricks, fraud and male chauvinism.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,,1949111,00.html