The 63-year-old American was trying to get into the L'Anonyme sex club in the heart of Cannes on Saturday when he was reportedly pushed some 15 metres down a stairwell by a doorman.

The American, who is believed to have been on holiday on the Riviera, approached the entrance to the club, located in an underground car park, at around 1am on Saturday night.

The doorman reportedly refused to allow him to enter the club but the American did not take kindly to being turned away which led the doorman to taking physical action.

In the melee the American was pushed down the stairwell and reportedly fell five floors further below.

It is not clear why he was refused entry but a note on the club's website stresses that the doorman has the right to turn away clients who “do not meet the dress code or the club's code of conduct.” 

It remains unknown if the American was on his own, but the club's rules also state lone men are not allowed in on Saturday nights.

Despite the attempts of emergency services to save his life, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The doorman, aged 42, who lived locally was charged with murder and was remanded in custody until he is due to appear before a judge.

According to France Soir he denied that he pushed the client, but images from video cameras and reports from witnesses appeared to disprove his version of events.

The club’s owner, who went home once the emergency services arrived, could also face charges over “failure to help a person in danger” which is a crime in France.

L'Anonyme describes itself as the best “libertine club in the Riviera” and has three dance floors, 14 “cosy corners” a VIP area, an area dedicated to fetishism and several bathrooms with Italian showers.

It describes itself as a unique place for “lovers of eroticism and sexuality, based on mutual respect”.