Pétanque is a specialty of bocce, typical of Provence.
Its origins date back to the beginning of the last century in the village of La Ciotat. Even today it is still one of the most popular sports in France, so much so that they want to include it in the program for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Pétanque is a specialty of the sport of boules, which originated in La Ciotat, Provence. A much-loved game in France, it has become a national symbol, so much so that it is being proposed as a possible new Olympic discipline for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The first official game took place in 1907, in La Ciotat, after the game was invented by brothers Ernest and Joseph Pitot, so that their friend Jules Lenoir could continue to play boules despite his rheumatism.
The objective of the game is to score points by placing one’s own bowl closer to the ball than that of one’s opponent.
Competitions can pit two teams of three or two players (triplets and doublets, respectively) or individual players against each other (tête à tête). In teams of three players each has two bowls, while in teams of two or as singles, three.
During a stay in Provence, it will not be difficult to find people, young and old, playing pétanque in some small square. Provençals will gladly teach the basics of pétanque to tourists.