Pétanque Chic
Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 7:20PM 
It's spring; the trees are in bloom, the sun is shining, and the glitterati are headed Cannes for a dose of international glamour at the film festival this week. The entire Cote d'Azur alights with the gatherings of the fashion, film, and social sets combined. Poolside cocktails on Cap Ferrat, parties at Juan-les-Pins, and champagne toasts on yachts in the vieux port of St. Tropez. It's a mix of the uber-European glamour of yesteryear, coupled with the relaxed breeziness of today's social style. At least that's how it seems to play across the pages of Vanity Fair.
In true glamourous insouciance, there always seems to be a game of pétanque. A traditional game of bowling that is played all across France, the idyllic warm days in the South at this time of year always provide the perfect backdrop for a good game on the gravel. If a famous movie star plays along with the locals, all the better! The whole thing begins to conjure images of Marcel Pagnol's Fanny Trilogy, but with famous people. In fact, luxury brands have had their eye on pétanque for some time, knowing its signature type of casual chic and joie de vivre represent the perfect accoutrement for the good life.
;)
Last fall, my former employer Louis Vuitton offered a gorgeous set of pétanque boules in their classic monogram and packaged inside of a smooth vache case. This week, Chanel sent out their own branded boules, and hosted a pétanque match for VIPs at the Place des Lices in St. Tropez. (So chic was this gathering that Garance Doré was invited to be on-hand to capture the good time.) Even the Parker Palm Springs hosts all-season pétanque courts - probably because the balmy climate is so reminiscent of the Riviera! (I wonder if Jonathan Adler has a set of geometrically-patterned boules?)
So why pétanque? Apart from its well-loved tradition in France, the game is portable and can be played just about anywhere. Those lime avenues all over French parks and town squares are perfect, and often turn into impromptu tournament grounds. The game easy to play as well as fun to watch, it's social, and goes very well with alfresco food and wine. While many people install bocce ball courts, in my mind's eye I always imagine my dream home having a gravel drive that's perfect for pétanque.
;)
Classic pétanque boules.The two games are similar in turn of play and scoring, but have some notable differences. Where bocce allows for a running start, pétanque is played from a standing position with the feet together. (The name pétanque comes from the phrase pès tancats meaning "feet together" in Provençal.) Bocce is more of a bowling game, while pétanque is more of a tossing game like horseshoes. And, while bocce balls are larger, brightly colored, and wooden, pétanque boules are hollow metal and slightly smaller.
One of my favorite things to find at the flea market are vintage pétanque boules - they are dented, studded, stamped, and a little rusty. High-end designers love how they look as an element of decor, and have been gathering boules together in a bowl for years now. Of course, this means that these collectibles now fetch a pretty price but the look is a quirky mix of sophistication and whimsy in one.
Everyone loves a bit of outdoor play at this time of year, especially the kind that can be either serious or fun, depending upon the mood of the group. So, even if you aren't walking the red carpet at Cannes, you can still don your K. Jacques, a Breton shirt, and set up your own pétanque court wherever you find a good spot of gravel. I guarantee you'll make new (and maybe even glamorous) friends in the process!
Cannes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Parker Palm Springs, Pétanque, film festival, fun, games, luxury, travel in Milieu & Metier 
Reader Comments (4)
would love to have one
Lilou