We all know about vampires and werewolves, or at least we think we do. The legends and myths that inspired these monsters are sometimes surprisingly different, but no less chilling. In this series of posts, Monster Monday, we’ll investigate the monsters that have informed our modern notions, as well as some lesser known monsters. Today, we talk about the Beast of Gévaudan.

Artist’s conception of one of the Beasts of Gévaudan, 18th-century engraving by A.F. of Alençon

The Beast of Gévaudan is the name given to a creature or creatures that terrorized the countryside in the former French province of Gévaudan in south-central France between 1764 and 1767. Overall, approximately 211 people were attacked and 113 killed.

The Beast was said to look like a wolf with a reddish coat, but much larger, the size of a calf. It tended to attack people alone in the forests tending livestock…