French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has described the decision of film star Gerard Depardieu to move to Belgium to avoid higher taxes as "shabby".

He suggested that Depardieu's move to the small town of Nechin, just over the border from the French city of Lille, was unpatriotic at a time of cutbacks.

Nechin's mayor revealed this week that Depardieu, 63, had taken up home there.

Some of France's wealthiest citizens are feeling victimized by the Socialist government. There is a general disgruntlement in business circles over the tax rates. Luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault made headlines three months ago when he announced plans to relocate to Belgium, denying it was for tax reasons.

However Depardieu's departure, our correspondent adds, is seen as less damaging to the government as his political views are known to be on the right and he is regarded as a rather grumpy, temperamental character.

Belgian residents do not pay wealth tax, which in France applies to individuals with assets above 1.3m euros ($1.7m), starting at a rate of 0.25%. Nor do they pay capital gains tax on share sales.

Next year, the top rate of income tax in France is due to become 75% on earnings above 1m euros. It is currently 50% in Belgium.

Speaking on the France 2 TV channel, Mr Ayrault said: "I find this quite shabby... All that just to avoid paying tax."

Depardieu was a "great star" whom "everyone loves as an artiste", he added.

However, according to the Prime Minister: "Paying a tax is an act of solidarity, a patriotic act."

French conservative opposition politician Jean-Francois Cope said the departure of Depardieu was "distressing for the country and its image".

"You don't see leading business figures or huge stars moving out of Belgium, Britain, Germany or Italy," he added.