Actor Francis Renaud remanded in custody for raping his ex-wife

French actor Francis Renaud has been placed in provisional detention following allegations of rape and sexual harassment by his former wife. The charges were announced by the prosecutor's office in Évreux on October 16, 2026, after Renaud was detained for questioning on October 12, following a complaint filed by his ex-partner at the end of September. The ex-wife accused Renaud of regularly forcing her into sexual relations with him despite her objections and compelling her to have sexual encounters with other men in his presence, sometimes participating in or observing these interactions. She stated she had engaged in sexual relationships with approximately ten different men, some multiple times. According to the prosecutor, Rémi Coutin, these acts continued even after their divorce in 2022, with recent incidents reportedly occurring during the summer of 2026. Some of the alleged abuses took place in Vernon, where Renaud resides. Renaud was questioned five times during his detention and admitted to one act of violence against his ex-wife. He acknowledged harassing her since their separation but denied forcing her into sexual relations, claiming she had consented to them. He faces charges including marital rape, group rape, marital harassment, and physical violence causing more than eight days of incapacity. These offenses carry a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years. Francis Renaud, 59, has appeared in numerous films directed by Olivier Marchal, such as 36 Quai des Orfèvres, Les Lyonnais, and Bronx, as well as television movies like Zodiaque and L’Affaire Villemin. In 2024, he filed complaints against filmmaker André Téchiné for sexual harassment and against casting director Gérard Moulevrier for sexual assault, along with another individual for threats. However, the Évreux prosecutor warned at the time that the claims against Téchiné did not seem to qualify as sexual harassment and that the case against Moulevrier concerned expired offenses. Three months later, the Paris prosecutor closed the investigation due to statute of limitations. The investigation into Renaud is being handled by the Criminal Organized Crime and Specialized Division (DCOS) in Rouen. Relatives of the complainant provided evidence supporting claims of physical and psychological abuse. The case continues to unfold with further legal proceedings anticipated.