A retired surgeon accused of raping and sexually assaulting hundreds of young patients, some while they were under anesthetic, told the opening of his trial in western France on Monday that he had committed "despicable" acts.

Joel Le Scouarnec is accused of assaulting or raping 299 people, the vast majority under 15 years old.

A former surgeon is set to stand trial in France for the alleged rape or sexual abuse of 299 victims. Most of them were children who were his patients.

Three explosive devices were thrown against the wall of the Russian consulate in the French city of Marseille with two exploding, police said on Monday. Nobody was injured in the incident, which occurred on the third anniversary of the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.