Aperitifs, pastis, and pétanque—a true institution in Provence!

Pastis and pétanque: a true institution in Provence.

Pétanque has been played for over a century, and it was in La Ciotat (in the Bouches-du-Rhône department) that the game originated. Its history is showcased at the Musée Ciotaden, which is open year-round for those who are curious.
You’ll also find La Maison de la Boule in Marseille, located right in the heart of the picturesque Panier district, which tells the story of boules games from antiquity to the present day.
Originally, “la longue,” played by teams of three, was played on one foot, balancing while throwing the ball—and it’s not easy to keep your balance on just one foot! 
This is how the game later evolved thanks to the initiative of a man (Ernest Pitiot), who proposed standing with “feet together” within a marked circle a few meters from the jack. And it is this technique that has endured and continues to this day.
In 1910, the first competition was held, formalizing these new “feet together” rules, known as “ped tanca” in Provençal. Pétanque was born!
Pétanque is a precision sport, played both recreationally and competitively, using steel balls and a jack (a ball 3 cm in diameter), also known as the “but” or “petit.”
It is played one-on-one (3 boules per person), in doubles (3 boules per person), or in triples (2 boules per person), with the goal being to place the boules as close as possible to the cochonnet to score points. Reach 13 points, and the game is won!