French star Gérard Depardieu is facing a probe over alleged "rapes and sexual assaults" of a young actress at his Paris mansion this month.

The Paris public prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary inquiry into allegations against Mr Depardieu, famous for his role in countless films from Green Card to Asterix, following a complaint lodged on Monday, a judicial source confirmed.

The actor "absolutely denies any attack, any rape", said his lawyer, Herve Témime.

According to Le Parisien, the plaintiff, a 22-year old "actress and dancer",  filed the complaint at a gendarmerie in Lambesc near Aix-en-Provence, southern France, saying she had been sexually assaulted twice by Mr Depardieu, 69.

She reportedly alleged the events took place at the screen icon’s "hôtel particulier" – town mansion – in Paris’ central 6ème arrondissement on August 7 and 13.

According to a source close to the investigation, Mr Depardieu is friends with the young woman’s father and had "taken her under his wing", giving her tips on how to start her acting career.

She studied in a school where he gave lessons. According to her agent, the actress has been "destroyed" by the affair.

She reportedly alleged that he abused her during an "informal rehearsal" for a play. She declined to comment to French media.

Mr Depardieu’s lawyer said his client was "totally thunderstruck by this complaint".

"He totally denies any attack. Gérard Depardieu is distraught. This accusation goes against everything he respects," he said.

Mr Temime added: "I regret the public nature of this procedure, which is highly detrimental to Gérard Depardieu, whose innocence I am convinced will be recognised."

France’s most iconic actor, Mr Depardieu has appeared in around 170 films.

He has had scrapes with the law in the past regarding drink driving.

The legal complaint comes in the wake of a string of accusations of rape and harassment in the film industry in France and abroad, sparked by the Harvey Weinstein scandal.