Mounds, castles, palaces: places of life, places of power.

Conference on the Motte Castles of Orne

The Château de Carrouges is hosting a conference dedicated to the motte castles of Orne, led by historian Xavier de Roquemaurel, a specialist particularly in the medieval period.

Carrouges, whose name means "crossroads," signifies an exceptional strategic geographical location. The site is located at the intersection of major routes since Roman times, notably those connecting Jublains to Lisieux and Avranches to Sées. The location of the original castle of this 12th-century stronghold remains uncertain: it is likely the first defensive site is situated at a height, at the top of the hill, at the current location of the village of Carrouges. It is believed to have been built a few decades after the year 1000 by the Duke of Normandy, Robert I, father of William the Conqueror.

The conference highlights the numerous remains of motte castles preserved in Orne, witnesses to the defensive organization of the ducal era. Among the examples mentioned are the motte of La Butte Saint-Pierre in Sées and the motte castle known as "du Château" in Rémalard, characterized by its raised circular enclosure on which a shell keep stands.
The history of Carrouges is also marked by the significant tensions of the time: in 1077, the site was besieged by William the Conqueror when his rebel son, Robert Curthose, took refuge there.

This conference is part of an initiative to promote Norman medieval heritage and the fortified landscapes related to the ducal period.

Organized by the Vieilles Maisons Françaises (VMF) association

Practical information: 
Registration required, limited number of places
Free