Olivet, Loiret
Olivet () is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France. Geography. Olivet is located in the northern bend of the Loire, which crosses from east to west. Olivet belongs to the Loire Valley sector between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire, which was in 2000 inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Olivet is 120 km south-south-west of Paris. Olivet is bordered to the north by Orléans and to the south by the Sologne. Olivet is crossed by the Loiret, a 13 km long river which is both a tributary and a  resurgence of the Loire. History. The first traces of inhabitants belong to the Merovingian era. The water mills along the river were built by monks during the tenth century. The first name of the village, during the eleventh century, was "Saint Martin du Loiret". The name "Olivet" comes probably from "Mount of olives". The village suffered severe destructions during the Hundred Years' War, especially during the Siege of Orléans. During the nineteenth century the river sides became a resort. Most of the surface was still devoted to agriculture, specialised in flowers, vegetable and fruits. Nowadays Olivet is a growing city  of more than 20,000 inhabitants. Places of interest. The peaceful river Loiret, surrounded by trees and home of numerous swans, offers pleasant public walks. They show glimpses of water mills, old castles, guinguettes and boat garages. On the north side of the main bridge, the "Horloge fleurie" is a giant clock on a flowery slope. The "Eglise Saint Martin" is a historical monument whose building began in the thirteenth century.