Tradition: French Mythology
Alternative Names: La Gargouille, Goji, Gargoyle
Category: Dragon
The Myth
Gargouille was a terrible dragon that terrorized the countryside around Rouen. It had the appearance of a typical Western European dragon, with bat-like wings, a long neck, and the ability to breathe fire.
The monster was eventually confronted by Saint Romanus, the bishop of Rouen. In one version of the legend, Saint Romanus subdued Gargouille with a crucifix. In another, he captured the beast with the help of a condemned man who was the only person brave enough to volunteer.
The saint then led the captured dragon back to Rouen. There, the people burned the monster, but its head and neck refused to be consumed by the flames. Having been hardened by its own fiery breath, these parts of Gargouille survived the fire.
The surviving head and neck were mounted upon the walls of Rouen Cathedral. The monstrous remains were said to protect the church from evil spirits, transforming the defeated dragon into a guardian of the sacred building.
Sources
“Gargoyle.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 3, 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gargoyle