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Origin and history

The Château de la Motte, located in Château-Renard in the Loiret, finds its origins in the 10th century with Fromont de Sens, before being abandoned to the advantage of the castle-top. This castle, built on an octagonal land surrounded by moat fed by the Ouanne, belonged successively to the houses of Courtenay, Sully and La Tremoille. In the 16th century, it became the property of the Colignys, major figures of the Wars of Religion, before being destroyed in 1561 by the royal troops.

Louise de Coligny, daughter of Gaspard II de Coligny, bought the ruins around 1600 and had the current building rebuilt between 1609 and 1610, without ever residing there. The castle then passed to the Orange-Nassau, then to noble families such as the Aquinas, the Fougeret – including Jean de Fougeret, guillotined in 1794 – and the Baerts. German occupation during the Second World War left private property since 1961, after being acquired by the Locher family.

Ranked a historic monument in 1945 for its facades, roofs, moats and bridge, Château de la Motte combines brick and stone in a characteristic 17th century architecture. His octagonal plan, marked by towers and turrets, makes it a remarkable example of the castles rebuilt after religious conflicts. The protected elements testify to its heritage importance in the Centre-Val de Loire region.

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