Paris – 09.06.2026: The French singer and actor Patrick Bruel is once again at the center of serious accusations. Two women filed complaints with the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office at the end of May and the beginning of June 2026 for sexual assault against him, dating back to the years 2000 and 2008. One of the complainants, a former Miss Alsace, accuses Bruel of raping her in April 2008. The other, a physiotherapist named Séverine, accuses him of sexually molesting her in May 2000.
The complaints were filed on May 27 and June 3, 2026, respectively. On June 8, 2026, Bruel was provisionally detained for questioning by the police regarding the accusations. The 67-year-old categorically denies all accusations, emphasizing that he has never acted against anyone’s will. His lawyers have announced full cooperation with the investigative authorities to prove their client’s innocence.
Similar accusations against Bruel had already emerged in 2019, when two women reported sexual harassment and attempted rape. However, these were dismissed by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office at the end of 2020.
Currently, the investigations focus on a total of 13 alleged victims, including, in addition to the new complainants, television presenter Flavie Flament. Flament has long accused Bruel of raping her in 1991.
Given the seriousness of the accusations and the ongoing investigations, Bruel has announced the cancellation of his scheduled concert tour. He intends to focus attention on the legal proceedings and give space to the people involved, without distractions caused by his public presence.
Reactions in France are mixed. Some call for a complete clarification and support the alleged victims, while others emphasize the presumption of innocence and warn against hasty judgments. The debate reflects the ongoing discussion in French society about the handling of sexual violence accusations and the protection of victims.
The investigations are still ongoing. For Bruel, whose career spans decades both in music and cinema, much is at stake. The coming months will determine how justice will handle the accusations and whether further consequences will follow.
Despite the accusations, Bruel’s artistic work remains present in France, but the case represents a considerable burden for his public reputation and private life. Now justice will have to decide if there will be indictments and, possibly, a trial.