Tarasque French Chimera Saint Martha

In French mythology, the Tarasque was a fearsome beast described in the Golden Legend as having a lion-like head, a body protected by turtle-like carapaces, six feet with bear-like claws, a serpent’s tail, and a poisonous breath it could expel on its enemies. The monster supposedly haunted the area near the Rhône River, by the town of Nerluc, overturning boats, devouring travelers, and burning fields with its toxic exhalations. The legend states that Saint Martha confronted the Tarasque, subdued it with prayer and holy water, and guided it back to the town on a leash. The terrified townspeople then killed the creature and, in remorse, later renamed their town Tarascon in honor of the slain monster.

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