Petanque

Where in the World? Quebec, Canada

                Petanque is a game that comes from Quebec. The goal is to throw hollow metal balls as close as you can to wooden ball called a cochonnet or bouchon. It can be played on gravel, sand, grass, or concrete. It is similar to the game bocce. It originated in 1907 in Southern France. In France, 17 million people play it most during summer months. 20,000 people in Quebec play it as well. It has been shown to now come to the United States recently. This game can be traced back all the way to the Ancient Greeks who used to play a similar version. Since 1953, there are world championships for this game and 52 teams from 50 countries attended in 2007 in Thailand. This game is played by 2, 4, or 6 people organized onto two teams.

For more information on the history, rules, and stratagy as well as videos and picture on this sport, visit http://www.petanque.org/around_the_world/french_games.shtml (: