Les chasseurs luttent contre la Bête du Gévaudan

Jean Richard - Lucien Gires

The many faces of the Beast of Gévaudan


This book is a paean to the Beast of Gévaudan. The text is by Jean Richard and the illustrations by Lucien Gires.


In it, you will of course find a host of images, sketches and anecdotes about the Beast of Gévaudan, but also much about Jean Richard, Lucien Gires (familiarly known locally as 'Lulu') and the fantastic museum of the Beast at Saugues.


Throughout his life Lucien Gires was the driving force behind a number of associations. His artistic and organizational skills were in constant demand, as evidenced by the 'Beast of Gévaudan' float, decorated with flowers, which he created for the festival of Saint-Médard in 1964, for instance. But his enduring legacy has been the two associations which he founded personally, 'Les Amis de la Tour' and 'Macbet'.


This work's primary intention is to bear witness to the diversity and wide range of Lulu's graphic output in his depictions of the Beast.


As for Jean Richard , he is a recognized authority on the Beast, unsparing of his time and effort and always ready to give a lecture here, an exhibition there, not to mention his visits to sites connected with the Beast.


This work should be seen as a kind of an extensive catalogue - though, as Jean Richard himself would readily admit ,even he could not compile a totally exhaustive one - of Lulu's talents in design, illustration and sculpture, the most complete account possible of the essence of his artistic output.


Year of publication of the presented edition : 2013 (93 pages)

Editor : Les Amis de la Tour


It costs €20 + €6 p.&p. (Cheques should be made payable to « Les Amis de la Tour »)

Available to order from Blandine Gires, route du Malzieu - 43170 - Saugues - France

Book Jean Richard Lucien Gires The Many Faces of the Beast of Gévaudan

The illustrator :

Lucien Gires (1937-2002) is a painter and sculptor from the region of Saugues. This self-taught man dedicated his life and work to depicting the countryside and scenes of rural life. He also loved representing religious subjects. The man everyone nicknamed “Lulu” painted memories of the city. He didn’t consider himself an artist, however, but rather a simple artisan. Art, for him, was a simple passion. One of his last works is the Museum of the Beast of Gévaudan which opened its doors in 1999. This museum traces the story of the Beast who terrorized the local population from 1764-1767.

Book Jean Richard Lucien Gires The Many Faces of the Beast of Gévaudan

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