Method for controlling the regeneration of a particulate filter , in which the mean oxygen content is varied by alternating oxygen-rich phases with oxygen-lean phases throughout the duration of a regeneration cycle (R) of the particulate filter , in which: - a mass (M) of the soot particles in the particulate filter is compared with a second threshold value (M1) and a first phase (P1) of the regeneration cycle (R) is initiated when the mass (M) of soot particles in the particulate filter is above a second threshold value (M1), and as regeneration is initiated a first temperature setpoint (T_cons1) is imposed upstream of the particulate filter , - when a temperature (T av_FAP ) measured upstream of the particulate filter is above or equal to a first temperature setpoint (T_cons1), a second phase (P2) of the regeneration of the particulate filter is initiated, during which second phase the mass (M) of the soot particles in the particulate filter is compared against a third threshold value (M2) and so long as the mass (M) of the soot particles in the particulate filter is above said third threshold value (M2) and at the same time the temperature (T av_FAP ) measured upstream of the particulate filter is above or equal to the first temperature setpoint (T_cons1), a second temperature setpoint (T_cons2) is imposed upstream of the particulate filter , and a reduced second oxygen content setpoint (Ox_cons2) is imposed, by reducing the alternation of oxygen-rich phases and oxygen-lean phases in order to obtain an actual oxygen content equal to the second oxygen content setpoint (Ox_cons2), during said second regeneration phase (P2), when the mass (M) of soot is below or equal to said third threshold value (M2), a third temperature setpoint (T_cons3) is imposed upstream of the particulate filter and a third oxygen content setpoint (Ox_cons3), higher than the second oxygen content setpoint (Ox_cons2) is calculated by increasing the alternation of oxygen-rich phases with oxygen-lean phases, characterized in that the oxygen content (Ox) is increased linearly as far as the third oxygen content setpoint (Ox_cons3) as a function of the reduction in the mass (M) of soot particles remaining in the particulate filter . - a mass (M) of the soot particles in the particulate filter is compared with a second threshold value (M1) and a first phase (P1) of the regeneration cycle (R) is initiated when the mass (M) of soot particles in the particulate filter is above a second threshold value (M1), and as regeneration is initiated a first temperature setpoint (T_cons1) is imposed upstream of the particulate filter , - when a temperature (T av_FAP ) measured upstream of the particulate filter is above or equal to a first temperature setpoint (T_cons1), a second phase (P2) of the regeneration of the particulate filter is initiated, during which second phase the mass (M) of the soot particles in the particulate filter is compared against a third threshold value (M2) and so long as the mass (M) of the soot particles in the particulate filter is above said third threshold value (M2) and at the same time the temperature (T av_FAP ) measured upstream of the particulate filter is above or equal to the first temperature setpoint (T_cons1), a second temperature setpoint (T_cons2) is imposed upstream of the particulate filter , and a reduced second oxygen content setpoint (Ox_cons2) is imposed, by reducing the alternation of oxygen-rich phases and oxygen-lean phases in order to obtain an actual oxygen content equal to the second oxygen content setpoint (Ox_cons2), <EOS>