The Beast Of Gévaudan

We've all seen horror movies. Especially where the setting is a quaint, small town and the residents all know one another and live in harmony. But then, tragedy strikes and a body, filled with life the night before, is found, mauled and almost unrecognizable. Fear ensues and now the residents are terrified not knowing how this could have possibly have happened in their land of serenity. Then another incident follows...and another...and now the town is practically up in arms, panicking, because something has entered their once thought safe place and is turning it into it's own personal hunting ground. This has happened time and time again on the silver screen but there is a moment in history where a plot such as this truly did happen and that is where our story takes place for this episode. Now, townsfolk are being slaughtered left and right by what could only have been describe as La Bête, or "The Beast". This creature of impressive size and strength would use the French land of Gévaudan as it's playground, committing brutal acts of killings and feasting on those unfortunate souls. After news had reached the French government and King Louis XV himself, over the next year and a half, more than 30,000 soldiers and hunters, sometimes accompanied with wolf hunting canines would take on the task of flushing out this creature and ending it's reign once and for all. One man, known as Jean Chastel, would be the victor in this game of man and beast come the summer of 1767, effectively restoring tranquility to the land he called home. If you would like to hear more details on this incident and the theories and possible explanations on what "The Beast" could have been, well then you will have to check out the episode! Stay safe and healthy. We here at TFR love each and every one of you and you will hear from us again soon.

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-farthest-reaches/support