It was from a stronghold of this type that in 1026 Foulques Nerra, count of Anjou, attacked Gilduin, who held the Saumurois on behalf of Eudes II de Blois. At the end of the 11th century, Foulque le Réchin, Count of Anjou had this first castle razed to punish his vassal Hardouin de Trèves for having betrayed him. He had another one built, a little further north, probably on the site of the stone castle.
At the start of the rue de la Barbacane, a marked walk allows to discover the remains of this «motte». Beautiful views of the village of Trier and the banks of the Loire can be discovered and one can reach a medieval hollow path that connects the village to the priory St Macé. By this way one reached on the height to a great communication way very old going from Angers to Poitiers Picnic areas were arranged there.