Prosecutors in 2019 dropped the investigation, citing insufficient evidence, only to pick it up again later that year after a new complaint was made to police.

In December 2021, French actor Charlotte Arnould revealed on social media she was the woman behind the accusation, saying she could not bear to remain silent any longer.

The Paris appeal court said on Thursday it had rejected Depardieu's request to drop the investigation.

"The chamber considers that there are, at this stage, serious and consistent signs justifying that Gerard Depardieu remain under investigation," it said.

The actor, through his lawyer, has previously "firmly rejected" the accusation.

Thursday's decision on whether or not to end the investigation did not touch on the issue of Depardieu's criminal liability. He has not yet been indicted.

Depardieu has starred in scores of French-language movies, rising to prominence in 1974 with Going Places, and gained international recognition with a starring role in the 1990 English-language comedy Green Card.

He won a Golden Globe best actor award for that role.

Australian Associated Press