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Origin and history

The feudal motte known as Garenne-de-la-Motte is a castral motte located in the commune of Igé, Orne, Normandy. It dates from the Middle Ages and is part of a defence network at the Marches of Perche County. According to historian Philippe Siguret, this site is said to have housed the castle of Roche d'Igé (or Rupe Ialgeo), taken by Mabile de Bellême from the Giroie family, its rivals. The main motte, called Bois de la Roche, dominates a hill west of the village, near the old road linking Bellême to Mans.

The estate retains three visible mots, the main of which has a circumference of 80 to 100 metres at its base. Although the lower yard has disappeared, the ditches remain clearly identifiable. These remains illustrate the strategic importance of the site in medieval territorial defence. The motte was listed as historic monuments on 10 June 1975, recognizing its heritage value and its role in local history.

The location of the Garenne-de-la-Motte, on a hill called La Roche, reinforces its defensive character. Integrated into a broader fortification system at the edge of the Perche, it reflects the feudal conflicts and rivalries that have marked the region. Historical sources, such as Philippe Siguret's work, highlight his link with the struggles between the Bellême and the Giroie, two influential families of Normandy in the 11th century.

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