boules

French game (also called boccie and pétanque) between two players or teams; it is similar to bowls. While boules remains the quintessential French game, it has become increasingly popular elsewhere both as a recreation and as a competitive sport. In 1998 the international governing body, the Confédération Mondiale Sports Boules, had over 70 member countries.

Boules is derived from the ancient French game jeu provençal. The object is to deliver a boule (or boules) from a standing position to land as near the jack (target) as possible. The spherical boule is approximately 8 cm/3 in in diameter and weighs 620-800 g/22-28 oz. The standard length of the court, normally with a sand base, is 27.5 m/90 ft.

The men's World Pétanque Championships (for teams of three) have been held annually since 1959. A women's world championship was introduced in 1988 and is held every two years.