French actor Gérard Depardieu, under fire for becoming a tax exile, is selling his historic Paris mansion, real estate agents Daniel Feau said Thursday amid reports of a 50-million-euro price tag.

• Ayrault slams tax exiles after Depardieu move (12 Dec 12)
• Depardieu moves to Belgium over tax hikes (10 Dec 12)
• Drunken Dépardieu crashes scooter in Paris (29 Nov 12)

The hotel de Chambon in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés quarter, home to several global celebrities, is a listed property with a living area of 1,800 square metres (19,300 square feet), Daniel Feau said.

Built in 1820 for the Baron de Chambon, it boasts gardens and a swimming pool – rare and highly-prized assets in the centre of the French capital.

Daniel Feau would not confirm media reports that the actor, who acquired the property in 2003, was asking €50 million ($65 million).

Depardieu, 63, has joined some of France's wealthiest business figures in Belgium following moves by the Socialist government to tax annual incomes above one million euros ($1.3 million) at 75 percent, as well as hiking taxes on "grand fortunes" and inherited assets.

His move has been denounced as "pathetic" by Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.

The tax measures would potentially hit Depardieu hard. The Cyrano de Bergerac star can command up to two million euros per film.

He also has extensive business interests, including wine estates and three restaurants in the centre of Paris.