Between 1764 and 1767, a terrible plague struck the Gévaudan region: an animal, misidentified by witnesses, began attacking and devouring people.
The most vulnerable, women and children, were its favorite prey. On January 12, 1765, seven children confronted the fearsome Beast of Gévaudan. They owed their lives to their courage, and particularly to that of Jacques Portefaix, the eldest, who managed to drive the monster away.
Later, at his school in Montpellier, Jacques wrote an account of this extraordinary adventure and tried to understand what really happened, an event that remains one of the greatest mysteries in French history to this day.
What if the Beast of Gévaudan wasn't what we think it was? Through Jacques's eyes, young readers are invited to form their own opinion on this enigma, which is over 260 years old.
Year of publication of the edition presented : 2026 (may, 27) (94 pages)
Bernard Soulieris president of the historical association "Au pays de la Bête du Gévaudan" (In the Land of the Beast of Gévaudan). A native of Auvers, at the foot of Mont Mouchet, he has spent the last 40 years tirelessly searching for new documents to understand this bloody episode, which remains one of the greatest mysteries in French history. He also collaborates with Jean Richard of the Macbet association in Saugues, particularly on the Beast's Gazette.
