Legend has it that “pétanque” (say pay-tank) was invented in the early 20th century by a group of fishermen in the town of La Ciotat, near Marseille. The story goes that the fishermen would play a game called jeu provençal, which involved throwing a wooden ball towards a target. However, the rocky terrain of the area made it difficult to roll the wooden ball, so the fishermen began using metal balls instead. This modification gave birth to the game we now know as pétanque.
Over the years, pétanque has become an integral part of the culture of Provence and Marseille. The game is played in parks, on streets, and in backyards throughout the region, and it’s a common sight to see locals of all ages enjoying a game of pétanque on a sunny afternoon. In fact, Marseille even has a dedicated pétanque court in the city center, called the Cours Julien, where people can play the game all year round.
Today, pétanque is played in countries all around the world, from Japan to the United States to Australia. But no matter where it’s played, the game retains its roots in the beautiful region of Provence and the bustling port city of Marseille. So the next time you’re in the south of France, be sure to grab some friends and a set of metal balls and enjoy a game of pétanque under the warm Provençal sun.
A brief rundown of the rules
Field and teams: The game is typically played outdoors on a flat, level surface using metal balls and a small wooden target ball called a cochonnet (little pig) or bouchon. Pétanque is usually played in teams of two or three players. Each team has a set of three metal balls, and the game also includes a small wooden target ball called a cochonnet or a bouchon.
Starting the game: The game starts with a coin toss to determine which team will throw the cochonnet first. The team that wins the toss throws the cochonnet onto the playing field, and then one of their players throws the first metal ball.
Taking turns: After the first ball is thrown, the other team takes their turn. The objective is to get as close to the cochonnet as possible with each throw. The team whose ball is farthest from the cochonnet goes next, and so on, until all of the balls have been thrown.
Scoring: After all of the balls have been thrown, points are awarded to the team with the ball closest to the cochonnet. The team earns one point for each ball that is closer to the cochonnet than the other team’s closest ball. If a team has multiple balls that are closer to the cochonnet than any of the other team’s balls, they earn one point for each of those balls.
Winning the game: The game continues with teams alternating turns until one team reaches 13 points. The first team to reach 13 points wins the game.
Other rules: Players must stay within a designated circle while throwing the balls, and they must keep one foot on the ground at all times. They are not allowed to move the cochonnet or any of the balls, and they are not allowed to touch the playing surface with their feet.
But who’s Fanny?
Ah, Fanny! In pétanque, “Fanny” is a term used to describe the situation where a team loses a game without scoring a single point. When this happens, it is said that the losing team “has to kiss Fanny”.
The origin of the term is a bit unclear, but according to one popular story, Fanny was a waitress who worked at a café near a pétanque court in the town of Marseille. The story goes that Fanny was a kind-hearted and generous woman who would console losing players by letting them kiss her on the cheek. Over time, the tradition of “kissing Fanny” evolved into a humorous way of acknowledging a defeat in the game of pétanque.
Today, the image of Fanny has become a familiar sight at pétanque clubs and competitions throughout France and beyond. It’s not uncommon to see a picture or statue of Fanny displayed prominently at pétanque courts, and many players even have a special ritual or song that they perform when they “kiss Fanny” after a loss.
