The mysterious animal as it was described at that time

In 1764, a mysterious animal devastated Gevaudan. It killed 108 people ( mainly children and women). At that time, King Louis XV was in Paris.

He heard about that mysterious animal and he sent his officiers to kill the « beast ». Gevaudan was a region which is now the south of Haute-Loire and the north of Lozere.

The beast used to kill women and children when they were alone, looking after their herds (cows and sheep). It cut their throat and ate their liver.

Soldiers came from Paris (the capital). Soldiers came from Paris (the capital). Everyday there was a new crime Everyday there was a new crime at the ends of the area. The fright spread in the country. Children didnt leave the villages, or only in groups, armed with knives and forks to look after their herds.

Jean Chastel Jean Chastel, a man who was living alone with his sons in the woods, was accused to be a criminal. But finally he killed the animal with a blessed bullet.

The story is still a mystery. No scientist saw the animal (it was rotten when it arrived in Paris) Was it a wolf? a werewolf? a man hiding his crimes? one will never know!...