Pithiviers

Pithiviers is a commune in the Loiret department, north central France. It is one of the subprefectures of Loiret. It is twinned with Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, England and Burglengenfeld in Bavaria, Germany.

Its attractions include a cinema, a theatre and a preserved steam railway.

During World War II, Pithiviers was the location of the infamous Pithiviers internment camp.

The pithivier, a kind of pie, is said to originate here in the middle ages. The traditional Pithivier was a small scalloped-edge sweet tartlet. Savoury versions can be filled with peacock, heron, swan or pork.

Personalities

 * Helvise of Pithiviers (965/970-1025), related to the Counts of Blois family, she built the castle of Pithivers.
 * Michel Odent - French obstetrician, surgeon & childbirth specialist. World renowned for his work at Pithiviers Hospital & Midwifery (1962–1985) as well as his many publications supporting natural birth. Birth Reborn-1984
 * Steve Marlet - footballer with CM Aubervilliers. He was born here in 1974.
 * Xavier Dectot - curator and art historian who was born here in 1973.
 * Marie Ndiaye - novelist and playwright who was born here in 1967.
 * Siméon Poisson - mathematician born here in 1781 and died in 1840.
 * Louis Lebègue Duportail - French military leader during the American Revolutionary War, born here in 1743.
 * Armenian monk Gregory of Nicopolis (also called Gregory Makar and Grégoire de Nicopolis) brought gingerbread to Europe from Pithiviers in the 10th century.