PARIS  - * Algeria's state grains agency OAIC bought nearly 700,000 tonnes of milling wheat for August shipment in a tender that closed on Wednesday, European traders said on Thursday.

* Traders had said on Wednesday that Algeria had paid $228-$228.50 per tonne, cost and freight included, for the wheat but the volume remained unclear.

* Traders said there were six sellers and the volume purchased was between 660,000 and 690,000 tonnes.

* The origin was optional but most of the grain was expected to come from France, they said.

* OAIC, one of the world's biggest grain importers, does not disclose details of its tenders and results reported by traders are estimates.

(Reporting by Valerie Parent, writing by Sybille de La Hamaide, editing by Gus Trompiz) ((Sybille.deLaHamaide@thomsonreuters.com; +331 4949 5145; Reuters Messaging: sybille.delahamaide.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))