Jeu de boules: what is it and how to play?

Since Antiquity, the game of boules has spanned the centuries, adapting to different civilizations to become a strong symbol of the art of living in Provence and the Côte d'Azur.

For the Greeks, it was a test of strength, while for the Romans, it was a game of skill. These ludic traditions evolved until the supposed birth, in June 1910 in La Ciotat, France, of pétanque: on that day, a player, unable to take the classic three-step Provençal game, threw his boule while standing-still, giving birth to a new, more accessible form of the game.

Prior to this, boules had already conquered the countryside in forms such as butaban and roulette, derived from bowling and mail games. In the 19th century, the game moved into towns, where it was banned from public thoroughfares, but found refuge in dance halls and private gardens. It was also in Marseille in 1828 that the Cercle des Boulomanes was founded, the oldest bouliste (boules player) society still existing.

Around 1720, an engraving by Jacques Rigaud shows a game interrupted by a dispute, a gesture that has remained unchanged ever since: measuring the distance between the balls. 

From the end of the 19th century onwards, competitions multiplied, from Marseille to Menton, from local neighborhoods to regional festivals, where enthusiasts gathered to enjoy these games rooted in tradition and conviviality.

Rules of the games

The two most popular forms of the game today are pétanque and jeu provençal, each with its own specificities and charm.

Petanque is played on a flat, hard court, usually made of sand or gravel. The player throws his ball with his feet fixed in a circle traced on the ground, hence the name (pieds tanqués). The aim is to throw the ball as close as possible to the cochonnet (small target ball), either by shooting or by putting the ball down, depending on the strategy.

The Provençal game, or longue, is older and more technical. The player takes a three-step run-up before throwing the ball, which is heavier and larger. This game calls for greater precision and skill, and is often played on larger fields, sometimes on grass or clay.

In both cases, the aim is to get your balls as close as possible to the jack and try to dislodge those of your opponent. Games are played in teams of one to three players, with victory going to the team that reaches 13 points first.