Pétanque is one of many versions of the game of boules. Standing inside a starting circle with both feet on the ground, players throw hollow metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a cochonnet (literally "piglet") or jack. The game is normally played on hard dirt or gravel, but can also be played on grass, sand or other surfaces.
Petanque derives from a similar, but slightly more energetic game, Jeu Provencal. The story goes that in 1907, in La Ciotat, near Marseille, one of the local champions could no longer pay because of his arthritis. A new form of the game was invented to allow him to continue, in which taking a run up before throwing was banned. Instead, players stand with both feet in the circle. (The name pétanque comes from petanca in the Provençal dialect, meaning "feet together" or more exactly "feet anchored").
The game is, of course, widely played throughout France. It is also popular in many former French colonies. Petanque began to gain in popularity in Britain in the 1970s. The game in England is governed by the English Petanque Association. Luton Petanque Club is part of the Chiltern Region.
Find out more about the game from the Winning Petanque website. Or see a wide rang of petanque videos on You Tube.
Petanque is also a game where wheelchair users and many other disabled players can compete alongside non disabled players. At Luton Petanque Club, our terrain is wheelchair accessible, and disabled players are, of course, welcome.
Petanque derives from a similar, but slightly more energetic game, Jeu Provencal. The story goes that in 1907, in La Ciotat, near Marseille, one of the local champions could no longer pay because of his arthritis. A new form of the game was invented to allow him to continue, in which taking a run up before throwing was banned. Instead, players stand with both feet in the circle. (The name pétanque comes from petanca in the Provençal dialect, meaning "feet together" or more exactly "feet anchored").
The game is, of course, widely played throughout France. It is also popular in many former French colonies. Petanque began to gain in popularity in Britain in the 1970s. The game in England is governed by the English Petanque Association. Luton Petanque Club is part of the Chiltern Region.
Find out more about the game from the Winning Petanque website. Or see a wide rang of petanque videos on You Tube.
Petanque is also a game where wheelchair users and many other disabled players can compete alongside non disabled players. At Luton Petanque Club, our terrain is wheelchair accessible, and disabled players are, of course, welcome.