Paris: Petanque in Paris

Paris

Petanque in Paris

petanque%20in%20paris.jpg Although the popular French game of pétanque has its origins in the south of France, it's become a favorite pastime throughout the country. According to the Fédération Française de Pétanque et de Jeu Provençal, there are nearly 50 pétanque clubs within Paris alone, located in almost every corner of the city. Each club has its own "terrain," or playing area, which may be a specially constructed "boulodrome," or simply open ground in a park or along the center of a boulevard. Many clubs also claim a certain pub or neighborhood bistro as their headquarters (or siège), the perfect place to grab a drink after the game, or for the losers to buy the winners a round. If you're interested in seeing where the boulistes hang out, here are just a few places they're likely to be found.

[Photo]

A La Pomponette

42 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris, France

This bistro at the bottom of rue Lepic specializes in the cuisine of southwestern France and serves as the headquarters of the Club Lepic Abbesses Pétanque, which has its terrain at 23, avenue Junot. (photo)… [link]

N 48° 53.10319 E 2° 20.2976

Arènes du Lutece

51 Rue Monge, 75005 Paris, France

Built in the 1st century CE to house thousands of spectators for gladiator contests and drama performances, the remains of this Roman amphitheater now make an excellent spot for a game of pétanque. This… is the home base of the Amicale Bouliste des Arènes de Lutèce club, which has its headquarters at the nearby Pub Lutèce at 48 rue Monge. [link]

N 48° 50.42004 E 2° 21.8064

Jardin des Tuileries

Jardin des Tuileries, Paris, France

The Saint Roch Sport Pétanque club conducts its daily games in two locations: near the statue of Jules Ferry in the Tuileries Garden, and on the south side of the Forum des Halles (rue Berger). (photo)… [link]

N 48° 51.52564 E 2° 19.28776

Jardin du Luxembourg

rue Guynemer at rue Fleurus, 75006 Paris

Centrally located in the city, the Jardin du Luxembourg draws tourists and locals of all ages to its many charms. For those interested in pétanque, the boulodrome in the southwest corner of the… park is a good place to watch boulistes in action, in this case, members of the Association Sportive du Jardin du Luxembourg. (photo) [link]

N 48° 50.49557 E 2° 19.56496

OBUT

60 Avenue de la République, 75011 Paris, France

This Parisian outpost of OBUT, a French company specializing in pétanque equipment, is a great place to get the right gear if you're interested in being more than a spectator. The store sells not only… a dizzying array of the steel boules essential to the game, but also clothing designed specifically for the discerning bouliste. [link]

N 48° 51.52564 E 2° 22.41123

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

rue Botzaris at rue du Tunnel, 75019 Paris

The terrain for the charmingly named Joyeux Boulomanes des Buttes Chaumont runs along the rue Botzaris on the south side of this enormous park in the 19th arrondissement. Weekends are especially lively,… with kids and older folks hanging out on benches under the trees as they watch the action. (photo) [link]

N 48° 52.45476 E 2° 23.4236

Square Jean Aicard

Square Jean Aicard, 75011 Paris, France

Just off the bustling rue Oberkampf, the tranquil Square Jean Aicard is the setting for the private terrain of the Pétanque Jean Aicard club. The nearby Bar de l'Union, at 6, avenue Jean Aicard, is the siège… for the club. [link]

N 48° 51.55434 E 2° 22.51564

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