Beast of the Gévaudan

In the Gévaudan region of southern France, Musée de la Bête du Gévaudan, or Museum of the Beast of the Gévaudan (Rue de la Tour de Anglais, 43170 Saugues, France; phone +33 4 71 77 64 22, www.musee-bete-gevaudan.com [in French only]), which opened in 1999, focuses on the 18th-century wild animal attacks that left up to 124 people dead.

Never identified but at times believed to be a wolf, hyena, serial killer or even a werewolf, the enigmatic Beast terrorized the Gévaudan countryside from 1764 to 1767, targeting women and children and avoiding hunters and the French army. 

The museum’s four floors include 22 dioramas exploring the mysteries of the Beast and the efforts to stop it. Open 2:30-6:30 p.m. daily, June 15-30 & Sept. 1-15, and 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 2:30-6:30 p.m. daily, July 1-Aug. 31.  €5 (near $5.50) adult or €3.50 child. A 35-minute guided tour, in French, is included in the cost.