Sunday, June 24, 2012

Pétanque competition at Hotel de Ville


"La Pétanque" is a traditional French game that originates from Provence, in the South of France (more on Wikipedia). The goal is to throw metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a "cochonnet" ("little pig"!). When throwing the balls, players must remain behind a circle with both feet on the ground. It's simple, fun and can be played virtually anywhere as long as there is enough space. Like... in front of the Hotel de ville (town hall) where they installed several Pétanque playgrounds for the weekend.

15 comments:

  1. What a fun shot - there's always something fun to do in Paris! Hey Eric, is that your reflection in the Petanque ball???

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  2. @Monnica "Hey Eric, is that your reflection in the Petanque ball???" Yes, it is LOL! I thought of erasing it and then I left it, thinking it was more fun ;-)

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  3. Is that blue sky I see? Yay! I think they set this up just so you could give us one of your signature shots (and "sign" it with your reflection)!

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  4. Great perspective and focus, Eric.

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  5. You can always find players everyday in the Luxembourg gardens. It is located near the Statue of Liberty(which is just a picture now, as it is under renovation.)

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  6. Hi Eric,

    You might enjoy this poem......

    http://herms-rhyme-thyme.blogspot.com/2012/05/petanque.html

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  7. This sounds like Bocce Ball. Is it the same game?

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  8. @GW Bill Miller Well apparently yes, I did not know, but yes you're right.

    @Herm. You could take a more Southern France photo LOL!

    The "For him, it will be a fate worst than any
    As he’s escorted to the café to kiss “La Fanny” " Made me LOL!

    I suppose you're aware of the meaning of La Fanny in British English right?

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  9. Great shot and beautiful blue skies!

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  10. Very interesting. I had never heard of this game before. Sounds fun!

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  11. Great every day people photo. It could be at a neighborhood park rather than l'Hotel de Ville.

    Diner en Blanc MSP went really well.

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  12. Great shot, Eric, from the Tenin viewpoint! I love pétanque and have more photos than I can count but never one in front of Hôtel de Ville. How wonderful to have a set-up for games there.

    Bises,
    Genie

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  13. Fun photo! And like the "pinhole" effect.

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  14. We played bocce last Sunday in our front yard, but we play by slightly "different" rules. As in, however the first thrower decides to throw, (through the legs, over the shoulder, eyes closed, etc) is how everyone has to throw! Good times.

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