Walloon village welcomes actor Depardieu

Celebrated French actor Gerard Depardieu has been named honorary citizen of the tiny village of Néchin (pop. 2,200) in western Belgium near the French border, where he bought a villa earlier this year. Depardieu's official housewarming took place this past weekend with some 200 guests from Néchin who were all invited to the actor's new home for a barbecue. Beforehand, a ceremony was held at the 12th-century Chateau de Bourgogne in Estaimbourg during which Depardieu was crowned an honorary citizen of Néchin. Mayor Daniel Senesael talked about the great film career of the actor, and how much the actor loves his new town. Depardieu confirmed: "I love the people of Néchin for their smile."