Pithiviers () is a commune in the Loiret department, north central France. It is one of the subprefecturess 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.

Population

Personalities

• Helvise of Pithiviers (965/970 - 1025) - related to the Counts of Blois family, she built the castle of Pithivers.

• Armenian monk Gregory of Nicopolis (also called Gregory Makar and Grégoire de Nicopolis) brought gingerbread to Europe from Pithiviers in the 10th century.

• Louis Lebègue Duportail - French military leader during the American Revolutionary War, born here in 1743.

• Siméon Poisson - mathematician born here in 1781 and died in 1840.

• Michel Odent (1930 - 2025) - 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.

• Marie Ndiaye - novelist and playwright who was born here in 1967.

• Xavier Dectot - curator and art historian who was born here in 1973.

• Steve Marlet - former footballer who was born here in 1974.

See also

• Communes of the Loiret department

• Tramway de Pithiviers à Toury

References