pétanque

Pétanque is a form of boules sport that originated in the Provence region of southern France. It developed from earlier jeux de boules traditions and was codified in the early 20th century. The name pétanque comes from a Provençal phrase meaning “feet planted,” reflecting the rule that players throw from a fixed stance with both feet on the ground. The game is typically played outdoors on a flat, roughly gravel or dirt surface called a piste.

Equipment and playing area: The game uses metal boules and a small wooden target ball called a cochonnet or jack. Boules usually weigh between 650 and 800 grams and have a diameter of about 70 to 80 millimeters. The cochonnet is about 26 to 28 millimeters in diameter. Official competition pistes are roughly 4 to 4.5 meters wide and about 12 to 15 meters long, though informal games may vary in size. The objective is to place boules as close as possible to the cochonnet.

Rules and play: Players or teams take turns throwing their boules from within a designated throwing area. The goal is to have boules closer to the cochonnet than those of the opposing team. After all boules on the end have been thrown, points are awarded equal to the number of boules of the leading team that are closer to the cochonnet than the nearest boule of the opposing team. Common formats include tête-à-tête (1 vs 1), doublette (two players per team), and triplette (three players per team). Competitive play often goes to a set number of points, such as 13.

Global presence: Pétanque enjoys widespread popularity in France and is played internationally, with organized championships under national and international federations. It is a social and recreational activity as well as a competitive sport.