paume

Paume is the French term for the palm of the hand and, in English-language historical sources, a name for an early court game played in France. The word also appears in the names of places and institutions associated with that game, such as the Palais de la Paume in Paris, and in anatomical or cultural phrases related to the palm.

Jeu de paume, literally “palm game,” originated in the 12th or 13th century in northern France as a court game played on a walled court. It was initially played with the bare hand, then with a leather glove, and later with a stretched paddle or racquet. The game soon spread to other parts of Europe and to royal courts, becoming a prized sport of courtly life. By the 16th century, specialized equipment and rules had developed, and the sport came to be known as real tennis in English-speaking contexts.

In the 19th century, lawn tennis emerged from these traditions in England and eventually became the modern sport with standardized rules and international competitions.

Today, the word paume survives mainly in historical references and in the names of certain buildings or museums in France. The Musée du Jeu de Paume in Paris preserves its legacy as a cultural institution, focusing on photography and contemporary art; the building’s name preserves the memory of the original palm court.