Pétanque | Saint Maxime

Pétanque in Sainte-Maxime

A sport and the Provençal way of life

A quintessentially Provençal pastime, pétanque is much more than just a hobby.

In Sainte-Maxime, young and old alike gather at the pétanque courts to enjoy a friendly game, whether in triplets, doubles or one-on-one.

How do you play pétanque?

Triplette: each player has 2 boules
Doublette or one-on-one: each player has 3 boules

To get started,all you need is a set of boules (for a triplette) and a jack, and you’re ready to start your games.

Pétanque is a sport accessible to everyone, where the important thing is to share, laugh and enjoy the moment.

The aim of the game

The principle is simple: score points by placing your boules closer to the jack than your opponent. The first team to reach 13 points wins the game. The jack must be situated between 6 and 10 metres from the throwing circle.

Watch out for those who might end up ‘doing a Fanny’: losing 13–0 is a great moment… of fun and tradition! Any local in Sainte-Maxime will be happy to explain this typically Provençal tradition to you on the court.

Where can you play in Sainte-Maxime?

To get the most out of this iconic sport, head to one of the town’s boules courts:

Prince Bertil Boules Court, Promenade A. Simon-Lorière
Place Jean Mermoz Boules Court

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, pétanque in Sainte-Maxime is a friendly experience to share with friends, family or the locals of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

Did you know?

The word ‘pétanque’ comes from the Provençal phrase ‘Ped Tanco’, which means ‘feet planted’ – that is to say, feet close together and firmly planted on the ground whilst throwing.

A sport and the Provençal way of life

The aim of the game

Did you know?

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