On the evening of March 25, 2025, French cinema icon Gérard Depardieu stepped into a Paris courtroom, facing serious allegations of sexual assault tied to a 2021 film shoot. Now 76, the actor best known for his turn as Cyrano de Bergerac, is accused of groping two women on the set of Les Volets Verts. He’s denied every charge, calling the claims false and saying he’s “not a predator.”
Who Is Gérard Depardieu?
Depardieu is one of France’s most recognized actors, with a filmography that spans over 200 roles. From Green Card to Jean de Florette, his face is etched into the history of global cinema. But while his career has soared, his personal life has often stirred controversy. He’s made headlines for punching photographers, urinating mid-flight, and cozying up to Vladimir Putin, who granted him Russian citizenship in 2013.
The allegations now before the court come from two women who worked on Les Volets Verts: a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director. Both allege Depardieu groped them during filming. They’re not the only ones. More than 20 women have accused the actor of sexual misconduct over the years, though most cases never made it to court—blocked by France’s statute of limitations or a lack of formal evidence.
Prosecutors say Depardieu used his position on set to intimidate and grope the set dresser, allegedly pinning her between his legs, touching her chest and waist, and using vulgar language—until bodyguards stepped in to pull him off. The assistant director described separate incidents of unwanted touching on set and later in the street. Both women initially stayed quiet but were motivated to come forward after Depardieu published a 2023 op-ed in Le Figaro, writing, “Never, ever have I abused a woman”.
If found guilty, he could face up to five years behind bars and a fine of €75,000 (roughly $81,000). On March 25, testifying in court, Depardieu insisted he never acted inappropriately. “I don’t touch women’s butts,” he said, adding that any physical contact was accidental or misunderstood. “I’m not someone who rubs up against people on the metro.” His attorney, Jérémie Assous, has echoed that position outside the courtroom, calling the accusations “lies.”
The case began on Monday, March 24, 2025, at the Tribunal de Paris. Depardieu, despite health complications including heart surgery and diabetes, appeared in person. Originally scheduled for October 2024, the trial was delayed due to his medical issues. With testimony now underway, a verdict is expected within weeks.
This isn’t a quiet proceeding. Outside the courthouse, the media swarm has been relentless, and protests have erupted—many calling for justice not just for these two women, but for all survivors of abuse in the French film industry.
Depardieu has long been seen as a #MeToo flashpoint in France. Back in 2018, actress Charlotte Arnould accused him of rape—a case that is still under review. Activists have pointed out that France has often lagged behind other countries in confronting sexual misconduct, citing a cultural tendency to dismiss such claims as overreactions or anti-French “puritanism.”
But that appears to be changing. Recent high-profile trials, like filmmaker Gisèle Pelicot’s in 2024, have pushed the issue forward. Depardieu’s trial could mark a turning point—a test of whether France is truly ready to hold even its most untouchable stars accountable.
Depardieu, meanwhile, has framed himself as misunderstood, describing his behavior as brash but not threatening. He told the court that his temperament is “Russian in nature”—loud, physical, and easily misread. His accusers say otherwise. “He took pleasure in frightening me,” the set dresser testified through tears. For her, this wasn’t a misunderstanding—it was abuse.
A guilty verdict would mean jail time—possibly five years—and a massive blow to Depardieu’s reputation, already battered. He hasn’t acted since 2022, and many productions have distanced themselves from him. Even if acquitted, the damage may be irreversible. His legacy, once golden, now hangs in the balance.
This trial is about more than Gérard Depardieu. It’s about what kind of culture France wants to protect: one that makes room for abuse behind the mask of genius, or one that finally draws the line.
As the proceedings continue, every testimony, every headline, and every hashtag adds pressure. Whether the court convicts him or not, the verdict will send a message—to survivors, to the industry, and to the world.