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Gérard Depardieu seeks (tax?) exile in Belgium Gérard Depardieu seeks (tax?) exile in Belgium
(10 days later)
What would Asterix make of it? Actor Gérard Depardieu, the celebrated Gallic hero's cinema sidekick, is leaving France and going north of the border.What would Asterix make of it? Actor Gérard Depardieu, the celebrated Gallic hero's cinema sidekick, is leaving France and going north of the border.
The 63-year-old star has bought a house in the Belgian frontier town of Nechin to add to a property portfolio that includes a chateau in Anjou, vineyards in France, Morocco, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Algeria and Ukraine, three Paris restaurants, a fish shop and a motorbike concession.The 63-year-old star has bought a house in the Belgian frontier town of Nechin to add to a property portfolio that includes a chateau in Anjou, vineyards in France, Morocco, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Algeria and Ukraine, three Paris restaurants, a fish shop and a motorbike concession.
Daniel Senesael, the mayor of Nechin (population 2,000), announced that Depardieu had purchased the former local customs officer's house and would be moving in immediately.Daniel Senesael, the mayor of Nechin (population 2,000), announced that Depardieu had purchased the former local customs officer's house and would be moving in immediately.
So what attracted the millionaire actor to an unremarkable property (described by one neighbour as "not that pretty") in a foreign tax haven 10 paces from France and 15 minutes by car from Lille and the high-speed train to Paris?So what attracted the millionaire actor to an unremarkable property (described by one neighbour as "not that pretty") in a foreign tax haven 10 paces from France and 15 minutes by car from Lille and the high-speed train to Paris?
Senesael insists Gégé – Depardieu's nickname – is fed up with city life and likes the view the Belgian side of the border.Senesael insists Gégé – Depardieu's nickname – is fed up with city life and likes the view the Belgian side of the border.
"I think he wanted to enjoy the atmosphere in Belgium, our identity, the rural, bucolic setting," the mayor told RTL radio."I think he wanted to enjoy the atmosphere in Belgium, our identity, the rural, bucolic setting," the mayor told RTL radio.
"Paf!", say the less credulous; he is taking flight from François Hollande's proposed 75% tax rate on those earning more than €1m a year. There is no wealth tax or capital gains tax on the sale of shares in Belgium."Paf!", say the less credulous; he is taking flight from François Hollande's proposed 75% tax rate on those earning more than €1m a year. There is no wealth tax or capital gains tax on the sale of shares in Belgium.
Depardieu will be in rich company. About 2,800 French people already live in the area, including the Mulliez family, owners of the French supermarket group Auchan and the Decathlon sports shop chain.Depardieu will be in rich company. About 2,800 French people already live in the area, including the Mulliez family, owners of the French supermarket group Auchan and the Decathlon sports shop chain.
The move, however, will do nothing for the Cyrano de Bergerac actor's battered reputation. Depardieu was arrested for drink driving last week after falling off his scooter in Paris, is facing legal action for assault after an "altercation" with a motorist in August, and last year caused a scandal by urinating in the aisle of an aircraft en route for Dublin.The move, however, will do nothing for the Cyrano de Bergerac actor's battered reputation. Depardieu was arrested for drink driving last week after falling off his scooter in Paris, is facing legal action for assault after an "altercation" with a motorist in August, and last year caused a scandal by urinating in the aisle of an aircraft en route for Dublin.
Senesael admitted that some might consider trying to avoid domestic taxes equally outrageous.Senesael admitted that some might consider trying to avoid domestic taxes equally outrageous.
"I understand it could shock," he said."I understand it could shock," he said.
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