Château de la Motte, Historical castle in Acqueville, France

Château de la Motte is a castle in Louis XIII style in Normandy with a central building and two side wings. Classical facades are surrounded by a protective moat that encircles the entire property.

Nicolas de Grimoult, a companion of Henri IV and later lieutenant general of the bailiwick of Alençon, had the château built between 1598 and 1614. Louis Berryer, master of the forges and manager of Normandy's forests, acquired it and had it entirely remodelled in 1660, adding low wings returning onto the courtyard and reworking the facade. It passed to the du Baudran family in 1726 and, by marriage, to the de Folleville family in 1802.

The château's name, la Motte, refers to the motte, or raised mound, on which such Norman residences were traditionally sited. The 1660 remodeling by Louis Berryer, master of the forges and manager of Normandy's forests, gave the main lodge its classical facade, preceded by low wings returning onto the courtyard. The honor courtyard is enclosed by a balustrade, a wrought-iron grille and sphinxes, elements listed in the 1998 classification.

The castle sits roughly one kilometer southwest of Cesny-les-Sources village and remains private property. Public visits are not permitted.

The 1998 classification covers the honor courtyard's balustrade, gate and sphinxes, plus the moat and saut-de-loup. Inside, a Louis XV fireplace in the dining room was brought from the abbey of Villers-Canivet. The chapel, entrance pavilion, north and south outbuildings and dovecote were inscribed in 1997.