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Bete du Gevaudan monument — Auvers
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Ghosts and Legends 📍 Auvers, France 355 views

Bete du Gevaudan monument

A monument was erected dedicated to a bizarre event that occurred on August 11, 1765. At that time, a young woman named Marie-Jeanne Valet was returning home with a spear she had obtained from a local priest. Crossing the bridge over the Desges River near the village of Paulhac,...

Photo · Emma P.

Bete du Gevaudan monument — Auvers, France.

Location
Auvers
Type
Ghosts and Legends
Opening hours
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11°C
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About Bete du Gevaudan monument

Bete du Gevaudan monument - Auvers | Secret World Trip Planner

A monument was erected dedicated to a bizarre event that occurred on August 11, 1765. At that time, a young woman named Marie-Jeanne Valet was returning home with a spear she had obtained from a local priest. Crossing the bridge over the Desges River near the village of Paulhac, she encountered the Beast of Gévaudan. For some reason, they began to argue and soon their quarrel turned into a catastrophic conflict. The Beast tried to attack Marie-Jeanne, probably with the intention of eating her. But Marie-Jeanne managed to strike the Beast with the spear she was carrying. The wounded Beast jumped into the river and escaped.Two years later, the Beast was killed by Jean Chastel.

Bete du Gevaudan monument - Auvers | Secret World Trip Planner
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  1. 01
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    Bete du Gevaudan monument
    📍 Auvers
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    📍 15.3 km away
  3. 03
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    📍 17 km away

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Frequently Asked Questions

The monument commemorates the encounter between Marie-Jeanne Valet and the Beast of Gévaudan on August 11, 1765, near the village of Paulhac. During this remarkable confrontation on the Desges River bridge, Marie-Jeanne successfully defended herself against the Beast using a spear given to her by a local priest, wounding it enough to force its escape into the river.
The monument is situated near the Desges River bridge close to the village of Paulhac in the Gévaudan region. This is the exact location where the famous encounter between Marie-Jeanne Valet and the Beast occurred in 1765, making it a historically significant pilgrimage site for those interested in the legend.
Marie-Jeanne Valet was a young woman who became a local hero on August 11, 1765, when she successfully defended herself against the Beast of Gévaudan using a spear. Her brave action, resulting in wounding the creature and forcing its retreat into the river, made her one of the few people to survive an encounter with the legendary Beast and is commemorated at this monument.
After being wounded by Marie-Jeanne's spear and escaping into the Desges River, the Beast of Gévaudan continued to roam the region for two more years. It was finally killed by Jean Chastel two years after the 1765 incident, ending the terrorizing reign of the mysterious creature.
Visitors should plan to visit the Desges River bridge area near Paulhac to see this historical monument dedicated to one of history's most bizarre and legendary encounters. The site offers an opportunity to explore the actual location of the 1765 event and understand this unique piece of regional folklore and history in the Gévaudan region.

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