I have been playing pétanque since I was a child. I have certainly forgotten my first plastic balls, but I will never forget the games and competitions I played in during my middle school years. The court was just a few steps away from our building, and the whole neighborhood would gather for a game, and for competitions every weekend. While some players compete in pétanque, most play it as a leisure activity and a daily or weekly get-together with other players. A boules court is like the local bar: everyone ends up talking to everyone else. Whether as a sport or a leisure activity, pétanque is not just a playground, it is also a way for many players to break out of their solitude and open the doors to sharing and conviviality. It also gives rise to unpretentious legends and colorful anecdotes, and can be played with family, friends, or neighbors. The players are often funny characters whose boasts remind me of Marcel Pagnol's France and all its colorful characters. A boules court is also a place without social class. With my cap on, I will strive to highlight all the values of this sport, which is and will remain one of the most beautiful facets of French culture.

Stéphane