French actor Gerard Depardieu is facing a probe over alleged "rapes and sexual assaults".
A judicial source told AFP the the Paris public prosecutor's office had opened a preliminary inquiry into allegations against him following a complaint lodged on Monday in southern Aix-en-Provence.
His lawyer said Mr Depardieu "absolutely denies any attack, any rape".
"I regret the public nature of this process which poses a major prejudice to Gerard Depardieu, whose innocence I am convinced will be recognised," Herve Termime added, calling for restraint on all sides.
69-year-old Depardieu is seen as France's biggest international star and has made more than 180 films.
These include 'Cyrano de Bergerac', 'Green Card' and 'My Father the Hero'.
He has made headlines in recent years for attacking French tax laws, moving to Belgium in protest and developing close ties to Russia.
He has since become a Russian citizen.
