Barging in France
Pétanque: What is it?
The real national sport in France might just be pétanque. Football and rugby are deeply loved but pétanque is woven into the fabric of everyday life. It's a game played in nearly every village, by people of all ages.
Unlike football or rugby, pétanque isn't just for spectators who mainly watch professionals on a screen, it's a sport for everyone of any age or ability.
A Game Born of Necessity
Pétanque has unique origins. Its roots go back to ancient Egypt and Greece, eventually evolving into a French game known as boules or pétanque. The goal is simple: toss or roll a heavy ball (boule) as close as possible to a small target ball, often called the jack (cochonnet in French).
In the 19th century, Provence saw the rise of a version called jeu provençal, where players ran three steps before launching their ball. Jules Lenoir, a passionate jeu provençal player could no longer manage the run-up due to his severe rheumatism. His friend and local café owner, Ernest Pitiot, developed a variant of the game. He shortened the pitch by half and players would throw from a stationary position, with their feet firmly planted. This gave rise to the name pieds tanqués, or “feet planted”, which eventually became pétanque.
The Simplicity of the Game
Originally played with wooden balls, pétanque evolved further thanks to the Industrial Revolution. Metal boules became the standard and the game's popularity exploded, first across France, then across Europe and beyond.
The beauty of pétanque lies in its simplicity:
- No need for fancy gear
- No athletic prowess is required
- Just a few metal balls and a patch of ground.
Because there's no running, anyone can play — young or old, male or female, athletic or not. That inclusivity is a big reason for its enduring popularity.
The Rules of Pétanque
Typically, a pitch or terrain is 12 meters (approximately 40 feet) long, but this could vary depending on how informal the game is. Two or four players have three metal balls (boules) each. A coin is tossed to determine which individual or team goes first. The starting team draws a circle at one end of the pitch. Standing in this circle, the first player tosses the jack, a small wooden ball, to land about 6 to 10 meters away towards the other end of the pitch.
The second player, from the other team, now stands in the circle and throws the first boule. The intent is to get it as close to the jack as possible. Then it is first team's turn to throw their boule with the intent to get closer to the jack than their opponent. This can be done either by ending up closer or by knocking their opponent's boule further away. The team that does not have the closest ball to the jack keeps throwing until they are closer or have run out of balls.
When all team players have thrown all of their boules, the round (or mène) ends. The team with the closest ball to the jack counts up their points. One point is given for each of their own balls closer to the jack than the other team's closest ball. The team that wins starts the next round of the match. A running score of points is kept until a team reaches 13 points and wins the game.
A Snapshot of Village Life
When you visit any French village, you will find a rectangular patch of gravel or dirt usually near the Mairie (town hall), the village square, or the park. Sometimes there are just one or two lanes, or there might be a whole area with multiple pitches for group play.
There's always a local pétanque club, and anyone can join. Gatherings are regular and relaxed. You don't just play the game, you get news, share jokes, debate, and simply enjoy the rhythm of life in rural France.
Pétanque is more than a sport; it's a social ritual. It welcomes everyone and brings people together. Unlike many other activities, it doesn't divide by age, gender, or experience. It's as suited to a family picnic as it is to a championship tournament.
Try Pétanque on Your Barge Cruise
If you really want to understand life in France, enjoy a round of pétanque when your barge stops for the night near a local village. Join in with locals or play with your fellow passengers or even the crew. You'll find a set of pétanque boules and jack on board each of our French hotel barges.
Take part in the banter, feel the camaraderie, and let yourself be drawn into a tradition that's as much about people as it is about points.
Enjoy a Barge Cruise in France
Experience French culture, cuisine, activities, language, countryside, and more on a barge cruise. Ready for a journey of discovery? Contact Paradise Connections.
We love the canals and are happy to assist with your barging vacation.