Jean Chastel

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Jean Chastel was a local farmer and inn-keeper, noted for killing the Beast of Gévaudan on June 19, 1767^[1] at Mont Mouchet. According to tradition and several subsequent novels, he positioned himself on a prime spot to get first bids on the beast and opened The Bible. Then he fired two shots with silver bullets, obtained from a medal representing Virgin Mary. The last shot hit the creature in the heart. Chastel's son, Antoine, was said to have possessed such an animal in his menagerie. However, he stated that beast was staring at him for a while. This would have been aberrant behavior for the beast, as it would usually attack on sight. Some believe this is proof Chastel participated with the beast, or that even he had trained it.

Chastel appeared as a character in the "Brotherhood of the Wolf" film.