Boule Me Out

Paris iPhone Photo Chronicles ~ Boule Me Out ~

Boule Me Out, originally uploaded by Paris Set Me Free.

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It was the day before the French election, and life continued as usual for this bunch of boules-playing locals up on the Montmartre slopes.

Boules or pétanque is a very popular game here in Paris, and rightly so; it can be played by practically anyone, anywhere, although you need to be able to lift and launch the heavy steel balls and a patch of fairly smooth hard ground works best.

I myself have been threatening for years to actually get myself a set and take part in the sacred game (that's right, I haven't actually played it yet) in a vain quest to become truly French in a deep sense. It'll happen one day. With pastis and a beret probably.

The appeal, like similar semi-sedentary activities (let's face it, it's not that physical) like strolling in the park, is that you can easily maintain a conversation, and therefore save the world virtually, from the comfort of your very much in-breath (as opposed to out-of) activity zone.

Froggies are famous for sounding off amongst themselves on many things, but especially politics, so an excuse to assemble and do so such as a gentle game of boules is the ideal opportunity.

Families play it; couples play it; old men, and occasionally their better halves certainly play it; heck, even dogs play it, albeit less conventionally. Do you play it? I'm making a resolution: I will play my first proper game of pétanque before the year is out, with or without a proper Frenchie, mark my words, and if you don't see the pics by December you can boule me out, ok?!

And why not...

J è  GRAB MY 20 AMAZING PARIS CURIOSITIES FREE NOW!  ç J

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