Alliance Française de Toledo

 

 

La Petanque
posted 08/14/2008

 

 

In sandlots and in boulodromes, Petanque is a favorite French pastime. Pierre Cervetto is looking for a small group of folks to gather at the Common Space for a game Thursday evenings during the summer at 6:00 

 

Petanque America - A 100th anniversary slideshow! (It will open in a new window.)
And a slideshow of photos from Alliance chapters around the US. (It will open in a new window.)

And here's Pierre CERVETTO animating the game - he's the guy with the tape measure. Click the thumbnails for an enlargement. Note the classic stance in the last image: Knees flexed, eyes on the cochonnet and the balls in the field, and the ball grasped lightly underhand so as to give it a little backspin. Photos by Kathy Gullen.

And, below, Pierre and friends teach the game to Sylvania students.

Mary Goodwin sent us these photos from the 2007 petanque match between the French clubs of Southview and Northview high schools, Sylvania, Ohio. Click for enlargements.

"Dear Alliance Française de Toledo: Thank you so much for our wonderful French Club Petanque event. We had such a fine time! We appreciate your time and help in teaching us this new, exciting game. Merci beaucoup! Regards, The Southview French Club"