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.

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 Place Dauphine

I have photographed the pétanque players many many times, mostly at Luxembourg Gardens. This trip through the lovely and quiet Place Dauphine, I caught some players there for the first time.

Pétanque à Place Dauphine

Through the Parisian grapevine I have heard that there are often pétanque players at Place Dauphine. It's no secret that I've been enamored with these guys at Luxembourg Gardens since 2009. This last visit, I finally found this nice group of men, young and old at Place Dauphine. This player was most accommodating. Merci, Monsieur!

Pétanque dans le jardin

It is no secret that I fell in love with the game of pétanque and the players in June, 2009. That day, while Eva and Davis played on the playground in Luxembourg Gardens, I wandered down the walkway and discovered pétanque. It's boules in the south and bocce in Italy. This game is played with metal balls and there are numerous courts laid out for the very serious players, who seem to come day after day, even in the winter. I sat on a green bench and took it all in. After a while, one of the players spotted me and enjoyed my photographs. He and his friends tried to explain the rules to my delight. Now, every trip I seek them out. As happens a lot in Paris, I sometimes find the same gentlemen there again and again. This last trip in November, 2014, I had the luck to visit them two Sundays. I have a series I'm working on. I'd like to do an exhibit or share in another way. Anyone have an idea?

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.

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!