Pétanque

Place De Gaulle is the beating heart of Saint-Paul de Vence. This gateway into the village is known as the “boules pitch”. Villagers enjoy meeting here at all hours of the day under the shade of the plane trees.

The village's many visitors enjoy watching the locals playing a game of “boules”. Throughout the summer, tournaments are held on Place Charles de Gaulle, bringing the village together in a friendly atmosphere.

The local social club - the Cercle d’Union Saint-Pauloise - , founded after the war, now attracts boules players of all ages.

The village still remembers celebrities who participated in games and tournaments here, such as Lino Ventura, Georges Géret and Yves Montand. Montand even sponsored the boules tournament for the village children. Sculptor César created a piece especially for the Café de la Place: commonly known as a “Fanny”, it represents two juicy buttocks that players have to kiss when they lose without scoring any points!

Line Renaud

Henri Salvador

Yves Montand

Lino Ventura

Place de Gaulle is a truly legendary square for all pétanque players. It is so famous that one letter addressed to the mayor of “Saint-Paul-les-Boules” and another to the mayor of “Saint-Boules-des-Frances” made it to Saint-Paul de Vence anyway!

Pétanque lesson

The Tourist Information Office invites you to learn how to play Provençal "boules", aka "pétanque", on the world's most famous pitch. You'll pick up all the terminology: "pieds tanqués", "faire Fanny", "pointer", "tirer"… Follow in the footsteps of Yves Montand and Lino Ventura.

Duration: 1 hour.
Price: €8.5 per person including boules hire. Free for children under 10.
Available in French and English.
Reserve on +33 (0)4 93 32 86 95.

Or hire pétanque boules from the Tourist Information Office at €5 per person/ €15 for a family of 4 people.

Book a Pétanque lesson

Petanque aperitif

Friendly atmosphere guaranteed!

For the organisation of a petanque aperitif during the event, please contact the Café de la Place to find out about the services and prices on +33 (0)4 93 32 80 03
or by e-mail: cafedelaplace06@orange.fr

Like a local

Pétanque

Line Renaud

Henri Salvador

Yves Montand

Lino Ventura

Pétanque lesson

Petanque aperitif

Like a local

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