Pétanque by the Hudson River Park’s Pier 54
In between savoring the different tastes of France, guests will get to enjoy friendly games of Pétanque*, a national French pastime.
This year there will be two opportunities to learn and play the game, as Le Taste of France has collaborated with La Boule New Yorkaise to host the inaugural LBNY Pro-Am & Taste of France Pétanque Challenge.
PLAYING PETANQUE WITH LA BOULE NEW YORKAISE
On Saturday, September 22nd we invite you to participate in the LBNY Pro-Am starting at 10am. LBNY will welcome amateurs to discover the game of Pétanque in a friendly tournament held at Bryant Park at
42nd Street and 6th Avenue. Those who have never played the game will be paired with seasoned players from around the Northeast. Teams will compete for various prizes, including cash, apparel, and VIP tickets to the show. Price for entry is $5 per person and registration/clinics begin at 10am near the fountain.
PLAYING PETANQUE AT LE TASTE OF FRANCE
A week later, three Pétanque courts will be set up during the two-day show for exhibitions, skills competitions, casual games, and clinics for beginners (great for kids!). No need to bring anything, but we ask that you wear closed-toe shoes. We have all the equipment needed! The competition will test the accuracy of some of our most celebrated players. Clinics will be held at both events for players of all ages starting at 11am with contests throughout the day.
If you would like to sign up for the tournament, clinic or skills competition, please contact Damien Duchamp.
Taste of France Skills Challenge
SCHEDULE
Courts: Three spaces to play named “Bleu, Blanc, & Rouge”
Clinics: We will teach people how to play the game
Shot Challenge: There will be small competitions between players
Saturday
11am – Open Play (Bleu, Blanc, Rouge)
12pm – First Clinic (Bleu), Open Play (Blanc, Rouge)
1pm – Shot Challenge (Bleu, Blanc), Open Play (Rouge)
2pm – Second Clinic (Bleu), Shot Challenge (Blanc), Open Play (Rouge)
3pm – Open Play (Bleu, Blanc, Rouge)
4pm – Third Clinic (Bleu), Open Play (Blanc, Rouge)
Saturday Night
6:30-11pm – Open Play
Sunday
11am – Open Play (Bleu, Blanc, Rouge)
12pm – First Clinic (Bleu), Open Play (Blanc, Rouge)
1pm – Shot Challenge (Bleu, Blanc), Open Play (Rouge)
2pm – Second Clinic (Bleu), Shot Challenge (Blanc), Open Play (Rouge)
3pm – Open Play (Bleu, Blanc, Rouge)
4pm – Third Clinic (Bleu), Open Play (Blanc, Rouge)
5pm – Open Play (Bleu, Blanc, Rouge)
What is Pétanque?*
Originally from Marseille, the Southeastern region of France, Pétanque is a French game of ‘boules’ (French for balls), where each player strives to throw metal balls as close as possible to a smaller wooden ball known as the ‘cochonnet.’
Pétanque is different from Bocce, it’s Italian cousin that is also a form of boules, in that Pétanque requires players to throw the boules in an overhand manner, whereas in Bocce you bowl. The equipment is a bit different, in that Bocce balls are larger and sometimes made of wood. Also, the terrain for Bocce is generally a short grass court. Scoring is similar, but there are subtle differences in rules and pace of play.
