The Rich History and Landmarks of Pithiviers

It’s difficult to summarize the history of a town like Pithiviers in a few lines. The capital of the district, the commune is the nerve center of Pithiverais. Historic, industrial, commercial, cultural city… it is an urbanized area between Beauce and Gâtinais.

Its church, Saint-Salomon Saint-Grégoire, and its unique spire are visible from afar, wherever you come from, like a landmark in the Beauceron horizon.

According to Abbot Moufflet’s thesis, the name Pithiviers means “four paths”. “Recalling the crossroads position which had been that of Pithiviers from the dawn of its history, at the crossroads of the pre-Roman roads from Orléans to Reims and from Sens to Mans”, we can read in the work Pithiviers par quatre chemins by Anne-Marie Royer-Pantin.

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Among the city’s notable monuments (and there are many) is Bellecour Castle, built at the end of the 17th century, between 1695 and 1697, by Alphonse-Charles de Bareillier de Forteville. In 1976, Dominican nuns settled there.

It has been owned by the city since 1988. The residence, which has suffered the vagaries of time, should be restored to accommodate the museum’s collections. Since June, the public has been able to access the natural area located on the banks of the Egg to walk or fish.

Pithiviers, the pride of the city

We also find, in the city center this time, the chapel of the Hôtel-Dieu and its superb frescoes and sculpted reliefs. The Hôtel-Dieu was inaugurated in 1790. Run by monks, it originally welcomed the destitute, the sick and pilgrims. In 1902, the establishment was transferred to Boulevard Beauvallet, on the site of the current hospital.

Place de l’Étape, you can admire the Château de l’Ardoise. Built during the Renaissance by a rich notable of the city, Gouault Archambault, it was one of the stopping places of the kings of France before joining their castles in the Loire Valley. Its interest lies in its shape of the hull of an inverted boat, invented by the architect Philibert de l’Orme.

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The building would also be the first to have been covered with slate in Pithiviers, hence its name. The castle cannot be visited, it is private property.

And in this list of the town’s remarkable heritage, we must not forget the essential: the Pithiviers! Whether soft or flaky, it is the pride of the city.

Find a double page devoted to the history of the town in The Loiret Courier from October 11.

Camille Coelho with correspondent