Tradition: French Mythology
Alternative Names: Graouli, Graouilly, Graouille, Graully
Category: Dragon
The Myth
Graoully was a terrifying dragon that lived among the ruins of the Roman amphitheater at Metz. The beast was accompanied by large numbers of smaller serpents, which swarmed through the ancient ruins. Their poisonous breath contaminated the surrounding area, while the creatures themselves spread fear throughout the city.
Saint Clément, the first bishop of Metz, was sent to preach the Gospel to the inhabitants. He promised to help them against the monsters if they abandoned their pagan gods.
The saint went into the serpents’ lair and confronted Graoully. Holding up his cross, he captured the dragon with his stole, the long band of cloth worn around his shoulders. He then led Graoully away from the city and brought the dragon and the other serpents to the banks of the Seille, where he made them disappear. The defeat of the monsters and the saint’s preaching led the people of Metz to abandon their pagan beliefs and convert to Christianity.
Other versions of the legend tell that Saint Clément killed Graoully instead, piercing the dragon with a polearm.
Sources
“Graoully.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 3, 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graoully