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History of Pétanque

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  • 600 BCE

    Ancient Greece

    They said pétanque had his origins during the time ancient greeks were a really important source of culture, science...
    The greeks played games that involved tossing coins and stones.
  • 300 BCE

    Roman Empire

    After the ancient greeks, the ancient romans added a twist. They came up with the idea of having a target to throw the things to. This target is now known as the jack or "cochonnet".
  • 100 BCE

    French origin

    French origin
    Some people say that the game was originated in the french region of Provenza. Others, as it is said before, in the Ancient Greece. To continue the story: the roman sailors and soldiers spread the game throughout Provenza.
    The name of the game "pétanque" actually comes from the Provençal dialect, deriving from "pès tancats" (feet together/ anchored/ firmly grounded).
  • 1300

    Pétanque was banned

    This sport was so popular that in the 14th century it had to be banned by Henry III of England for fear that his archers would play it rather than practice archery. It was also prohibited to commoners in France between the 14th and 17th centuries by Charles IV and Charles V of France. Another law pretty much the same was passed in Scotland by James IV in the 15th century.

  • Nailed boules

    Nailed boules
    Until the mid-1800's, the boules were solid and made with boxwood roots, a very hardwood. At the end of this century a cheap mass-manufacturing of nails started, so the boules manufacturers covered them with nails, creating "boules cloutées", nailed boules. This nails were used to give the boules an extra weight, but it was also to re-enforce and protect the surface.

  • 3-step run

    3-step run
    In an older version of the game, you did a 3-step run and afterwards you threw the boules (similar to a bowling game). But in 1907 in La Ciotat (near Marseille), a french boule lyonnaise player with a rheumatism called Jules Lenoir, was going to play petanque, the problem was that, due to his rheumatism, he couldn't do the run. For him to being able to play, the rule was changed and all players had to throw the ball with both feet on the ground.

  • First all-metal boule

    First all-metal boule
    After WWI, it was able to manufacture hollow, all-metal boules. The first one was called la Boule Intégrale, introduced by Paul Cortieu. It was cast in a single piece from an aluminium-bronze alloy. It was approved by the Union Nationale des Fédérations de Boules in January 1925.
    Years later the all-metal (in general) boules were, and still are, the only ones that could be used in competitions.

  • First all-steel boule

    First all-steel boule
    Louis Tarchier (ELTÉ (LT) brand) previously a gun smith and Jean Blanc (JB brand) previously a locksmith decided to be boules' manufacturers and them two created the all-steel boules. They were actually neighbours and lived in Saint-Bonnet-le-Château.
    They probably got the idea by Paul Courtieu's invention: La Boule Intégrale, the first all-metal boule, when it was approved by the Union Nationale des Fédérations de Boules in January 1925.

  • Creation of the "Fédération Internationale de Pétanque et Jeu Provençal (F.I.P.J.P.)"

    Creation of the "Fédération Internationale de Pétanque et Jeu Provençal (F.I.P.J.P.)"
    It was founded in Marseille in 1958, and nowadays it's the international governing body of petanque. It has 112 national federations in 112 countries.

  • Creation of the World Federation of the Sport of Boules or "Confederation Mondiale des Sports de Boules (C.M.S.B.)"

    Creation of the World Federation of the Sport of Boules or "Confederation Mondiale des Sports de Boules (C.M.S.B.)"
    It was founded by three international boules organisations: Federation International de Pétanque et Jeu Provençal (F.I.P.J.P.), Federation International de Boules (F.I.B. lyonnaise boule) and the Confederazione Boccista Internazionale (C.B.I. raffa). World Bowls (lawn bowls) was also part of the federation since 2003, but left in 2013.
    Its headquarters are situated in Monte Carlo, place where it was stablished.
    It's recognized by the Olympic Committee.

  • The Masters of Pétanque

    The Masters of Pétanque
    It is kind of the Tour de France, but in pétanque, as there's 8 phases in 8 different french cities.
    It takes place during the summer.
    It was first organised in 1999.
    It's organised by the sports agency Quarterback.
    Only the best players of the year, based on the world ranking, a guest team, a team from the host region, and two foreign selections, are able to play. So there's 8 teams of 3 players each and, in each phase, one of them is the host region's team.