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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Historical

Géant Beaupré

Géant Beaupré was the nickname of Édouard Beaupré, a Canadian Métis strongman and circus performer born in Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan, in 1881.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Géant Beaupré was the nickname of Édouard Beaupré, a Canadian Métis strongman and circus performer known for his extraordinary height.

Who he was

Édouard Beaupré was born in Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan, in 1881, the eldest child in a large Métis and Franco-Canadian family. He became widely known as the Géant Beaupré or the Willow Bunch Giant, with sources reporting his height at about 2.52 m (8 ft 3 in).

Career and public life

Beaupré worked as a strongman and circus performer in Canada and the United States, drawing attention for his exceptional size. He entered Canadian folklore as a legendary figure, especially within Saskatchewan and Fransaskois heritage.

Death and aftermath

He died in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904 at age 23. His body was publicly displayed for decades before being cremated and returned to Willow Bunch for burial in 1990. His life has been retold in documentaries, historical writing, and popular culture.

In short

  • Édouard Beaupré was a Métis Canadian strongman and circus performer.
  • He stood about 2.52 m (8 ft 3 in) tall, earning the nickname Géant Beaupré.
  • He died in 1904 at age 23; his body was displayed for decades before burial in 1990.
  • He remains a notable figure in Saskatchewan and Métis history.
Canadian angle

Géant Beaupré is a notable Canadian and Métis historical figure, especially associated with Saskatchewan and Fransaskois heritage.

Quick questions

Who is Géant Beaupré?
Géant Beaupré was the nickname of Édouard Beaupré, a Canadian Métis strongman and circus performer from Saskatchewan.
How tall was Géant Beaupré?
Sources report that he was about 2.52 metres tall, or 8 feet 3 inches.
What happened to Géant Beaupré after his death?
He died in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904. His body was displayed publicly for many years before being returned to Willow Bunch for burial in 1990.

Sources

  1. Dictionary of Canadian Biography — https://www.biographi.ca/fr/bio/beaupre_edouard_13F.html
    Supports: Birth name, nickname, birthplace, family background, and death details
  2. Dictionary of Canadian Biography — https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/beaupre_edouard_13E.html
    Supports: English-language confirmation of identity, nickname, birthplace, and death details
  3. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89douard_Beaupr%C3%A9
    Supports: Height, nickname, birthplace, and death details
  4. Library and Archives Canada — https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/205/301/ic/cdc/fransaskois/Historique/Hommesmetis/geant/geant1.htm?nodisclaimer=1
    Supports: Height, circus career, death, and later return of remains
  5. Radio-Canada — https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/aujourd-hui-l-histoire/segments/entrevue/473127/geant-beaupre-edouard-cirque
    Supports: Height, birthplace, Métis background, and historical significance