French actor Gérard Depardieu has been ordered to stand trial in Paris on charges of rape and sexual assault, stemming from allegations made by actress Charlotte Arnould.

The allegations involve incidents at Depardieu's Paris home in August 2018, when Arnould was 22 and Depardieu was 69, with the case gaining renewed legal momentum after a lengthy investigation.

Depardieu, a prominent figure in French cinema with over 250 films and an Oscar nomination in 1991, has denied all allegations, despite being placed under formal investigation in 2022.

Arnould’s lawyer described the decision to proceed to trial as a significant step, and Arnould herself expressed relief that the case is moving forward after seven years of legal and emotional struggle.

The trial will be held in France’s highest criminal court, which handles serious cases with potential sentences of more than five years, emphasizing the gravity of the charges.

The exact date of the upcoming trial has not yet been determined, but the case has already attracted considerable attention in France’s legal and cultural circles.

Arnould has been actively involved in the legal process, attending court earlier this year related to previous proceedings, and publicly sharing her relief on social media.

A judge of instruction requested Depardieu's referral to the criminal court for 'rape,' based on detailed reasoning in the indictment, a procedural step that allows the defendant to contest the referral.

The case is viewed as a significant test for France’s film industry amid ongoing discussions about influence, consent, and misconduct in the #MeToo era.

The allegations include digital penetration on two occasions, with the prosecutor’s report stating that Depardieu allegedly forced the victim to submit to sexual acts against her will.

Arnould, now 29, described her relief and sense of justice after the indictment, calling the legal process a moment of 'judicial truth' and expressing her inability to remain silent.

Depardieu’s trial marks a notable legal proceeding involving a major public figure in France, highlighting ongoing issues of influence and vulnerability in sexual assault cases.