If you’ve ever delved into French culture, you might have come across the card game Les Loups-garous de Thiercelieux, or The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow in English. This intriguing game sets players in a medieval village, taking on roles like hunters, thieves, and seers. However, by night, some players transform into werewolves, creating a thrilling mystery and strategy game. The fascination with werewolves in French culture traces back to a historical event known as the French Werewolf Epidemic.
During the 1760s, a terrifying series of events unfolded in a remote region of south-central France known as the Gévaudan. Nearly three hundred people fell victim to a mysterious killer dubbed “the Beast.” This monstrous creature wreaked havoc with methods like decapitation and blood-drinking, striking fear into the hearts of the populace.
The situation escalated to a national crisis, with King Louis XV offering a hefty reward for the capture of this deadly predator. The Beast’s reign of terror continued until a skilled hunter managed to eliminate it in 1767, putting an end to the French Werewolf Epidemic.
The Beast’s true identity remains a mystery, with speculation ranging from a wolf to a hyena or even a lion. This enigmatic tale of horror and survival continues to inspire various forms of entertainment, from literature to movies, showcasing the enduring allure of werewolf legends.
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– The Sights & Sounds of 18th Century Paris Get Recreated with 3D Audio and Animation
– A 1665 Advertisement Promises a “Famous and Effectual” Cure for the Great Plague
– How the Year 2440 Was Imagined in a 1771 French Sci-Fi Novel
– John Steinbeck Wrote a Werewolf Novel, and His Estate Won’t Let the World Read It: The Story of Murder at Full Moon
Based in Seoul, Colin Marshall writes and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletter Books on Cities and the book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter at @colinmarshall or on Facebook.
