Pétanque dans le jardin

 

I have loved photographing the pétanque players in Paris since I discovered them at Luxembourg Gardens in 2009. Since then, I always seek them out. They kindly allow me to photograph them as they play. I"ve photographed some of these men many times over the years.

Pétanque å Paris

Just before I left for Paris, my friend David Livingston sent an email with one request, pétanque players. I assured him that if the weather cooperated, I"d have some for him. Our last day in Paris, we brunched at Treize then met Peter and walked through the Jardin du Luxembourg . It had poured rain earlier, so there weren't the usual suspects there, but voila! My favorite guys were on their usual court. I'm pretty proud of this one.

Chaises vides

On this November day, I was disappointed to see that there were no pétanque players. The spectators stayed home as well. Triste.

Les joueurs de pétanque

I"m currently gathering street photography images for a program I'm presenting for the Shades Valley Camera Club this coming Thursday. It's been great fun combing my files. I found some very good memories of my favorite pétanque guys at the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Pétanque in the Parc

These guys. I find them almost every visit to Luxembourg Gardens. They are always at the same court. I love reconnecting with them.

Le spectateur

The pétanque courts at the Jardin du Luxembourg always draws spectators.

Les spectateurs

Sundays at the Luxembourg Gardens bring out Parisians of all ages. The pétanque players attract their own special followers. This couple stopped to enjoy.

Les ombres

Late on a winter afternoon, the pétanque players are winding down another day of cutthroat play at the Luxembourg Garden courts.

Le lancer

At Luxembourg, the older men rule the pétanque courts,  but a few younger ones slip in.  I love the men in the background as much as I do this handsome player.

Le spectateur

I find the spectators around the pétanque courts at Luxembourg Gardens  as interesting as the players! Every trip back to Paris, I find the time to come here and watch. Paris moments I treasure.

Les Ombres

Late on a cold Sunday afternoon in January,  the pétanque players were still at it. I'm thinking that probably the only thing that keeps them home might be rain and snow!

Bonne Chance Monsieur!

I discovered the pétanque gentlemen for the first time at Luxembourg Gardens, the summer of 2009.  That day I pulled up a chair and got friendly with a group of men, some of whom I see over and over when I return.  They were a mix of nationalities and only one spoke any English at all. They were very friendly and tried as best they could to explain the game.  One thing I've noticed, is that a cloth to wipe the dust off the metal balls seems to be obligatory.  I have never seen one quite this worn and tattered. I'm thinking it might bring bonne chance!

Update: Merci to my blog friend Herm who has kindly written a little poem explaining the tradition of La Fanny in pétanque right here!

Perfect Pétanque Weather

Look at that smile!

 I think the only thing that keeps these enthusiastic pétanque players at home might be rain, sleet or snow.  Certainly a cold afternoon in January was not a deterrent! ( I think the spectators are almost as interesting.)

Jardin du Luxembourg bien sûr!

Keep Your Eye on the Ball

I fret.  I fret a lot over my blogs. I worry about the quality of my photographs, or if  I'm boring my dear readers when I post  too many photographs on the same subject/theme ...... like pétanque.  This is what I've decided ( for the moment).  When I'm lucky enough to get to Paris, I photograph what pleases my eye, makes me laugh or stand in awe,  or evokes a memory I don't ever want to forget.  Getting to know and photograph the pétanque players at Luxembourg Gardens continues to be an experience I want to revisit each trip.  Watching the diverse group of players and spectators, never ceases to delight.  For me as a bystander ( not to mention a foreigner) watching these men doing what they love everyday, is like being invited into the "inner circle" of Parisian life.   I hope you understand.

Le débat

Jardin du Luxembourg

It seems that faithful pétanque players enjoy their game year round.  In fact, I think I recognized several of these players from previous trips.  This very chilly Sunday, they donned jackets and scarves and seemed to be having a bit of a discussion, which I've observed,  happens quite often.

Le Spectateur

I am charmed by the fact that most of the men that come to Luxembourg Gardens to watch the pétanque players, take the time to dress for the occasion.  Another reason I love Paris.

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" Madame, la boule."

Those of you that have followed this blog for quite a while will remember my delightful adventures with the pétanque players at Luxembourg Gardens, the summer of 2009.  The foursome that befriended me couldn't have been more entertaining and accommodating.  They took such pains to show me how the game was played and all about the scoring ( and the conversations regarding the scoring!). At one point I was instructed to go down to another court for a translation.  A wonderful Paris memory.  Today, the all important boule!

Pétanque - Les Spectateurs

It is really no secret that photographing the pétanque players in Luxembourg Gardens last summer was one of my favorite pastimes, but I found the specateurs just as interesting! This next trip, I plan to go right back, pull up a chair and hopefully make some new friends !

Keep Your Eye on the Ball ( Balls)

I have a confession to make. I made this photograph last summer and to my knowledge, I've never really looked at it before last night. I was sifting through my photos ( as I do daily) and ran across it. Given a closer look , I am fascinated that they all have their eyes fixed on the balls. Pétanque, thanks to some of the players I got to know and who kindly shared the rules of the game with me, is a rather intense game, but one enjoyed on a daily basis by many men in Paris. Photographing the pétanque players at Luxembourg Gardens and at the Palais Royal was great fun. If you are lucky enough to visit when the weather is fine, try and find a game or two in the gardens.