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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The feudal motte of Rivray is a medieval vestige located on the former municipality of Condé-sur-Huisne, now integrated in Sablons-sur-Huisne (Orne, Normandy). This earth fortification, typical of early military architecture, was dating back to the Xth to Xth centuries and dominated a defensive work probably made of wood. She played a strategic role in controlling the ancient way between Chartres and Mans, known as the Way of Caesar. The site, which has been listed as historical monuments since 1975, illustrates the importance of castral mots in defending the Perch.

The motte was destroyed in 1428 during the Hundred Years War, probably by British troops. Prior to its ruin, it was a major strength for the region, as evidenced by archaeological studies conducted in the 1990s. This research, led by historian Joseph Decaëns, revealed key elements on his evolution, from a motte of conquest (XI century) to a chestnut seigneury (XII century). The excavations also highlighted the nearby Castral Chapel, a vestige of the seigneurial organization of the site.

The Rivray site embodies the transition from early Middle Ages wooden fortifications to later stone castles. Its inscription in the title of historical monuments underlines its heritage value, both for local history and for the understanding of medieval defensive strategies in Normandy. The publications of Joseph Decaëns, based on his excavations, remain references for the study of feudal mottes in the Perch. Today, the moth and its ditches offer a material testimony of this pivotal period, although its state of conservation limits detailed visits.

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