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7 unusual facts about Gévaudan


Gévaudan

The western part of Gévaudan constituted the Viscounty of Grèzes.

Marvejols

The wolf park of Gévaudan: Over 100 wolves live in a semi-natural state in an area of hills above Marvejols, once renowned for the animals.

One represents the mythical Beast of Gévaudan, the other, that of Henry IV of France, inscribed "exécuté à Marvejols en 1954" (Executed in 1954), which refers, of course, to the date of the sculpture, not the King's demise.

Following the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, the town walls were reinforced to protect the Huguenot population during the French Wars of Religion, Protestant Capt. Matthieu Merle based himself at Marvejols during his conquest of the Gévaudan.

Meyrueis

Guillaume Ademar (Guilhem Ademar en occitan) (1190/1195–1217), of noble origin but poor, was songwriter troubadour in Gévaudan.

Pomayrols

Pomayrols from now on was located at the border with close Gévaudan remained with the crown of France.

Saint-Chély-d'Apcher

Saint Chély d'Apcher is located at the centre of the Gévaudan area, between Aubrac and Margeride.


Beast of Gévaudan

In the DVD board game, Atmosfear, Gévaudan is the name of the blue werewolf "Harbinger" character that can be used as a player token.

Château du Tournel

A former seat of the Barons of Tournel, one of the eight baronies of Gévaudan, it was destroyed during the French Wars of Religion by Huguenot troops under Matthieu Merle.

Mont Mouchet

Near to the summit of Mont Mouchet in the commune of Auvers, is memorial to the resistance alongside a museum of the Haut Gévaudan maquisards.


see also