Bryant Park

• The Grounds
  • Gardens
  • Monuments
  • Nearby Architecture
• Reading Room
• Le Carrousel
• Pétanque
• Chess & Backgammon
• Ping Pong
• Bryant Park Grill
• Bryant Park Cafe
• ‘wichcraft
• Southwest Porch
• Bryant Park Shop

Pétanque

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, named the “cochonnet”. Most games are played in teams, and are staged on the gravel area near the Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street corner. Tournaments are played on the gravel paths around the Bryant Park lawn. Game strategies include “pointing” when a player throws his ball to have it roll as close to the cochonnet as possible, and “shooting” when a player aims for the ball of an opponent, hoping to move him out of a favorable spot.

Equipment needs

A good set (3) of Pétanque balls, and a wooden “jack” (target ball).

La Boule New Yorkaise

“La Boule New Yorkaise” is a New York City pétanque club (over 100 members) affiliated with the Federation of Pétanque USA Inc. (FPUSA). The club is dedicated to the promotion of pétanque as a fun and recreational activity, as well as a competitive sport. In 1986, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2002 a team (3 players) from La Boule New Yorkaise won the right to represent the United States at the (men’s) World Championship. In 1994 and 2002, women players from La Boule New Yorkaise were members of the USA Women’s team which represented the United States at the Women’s World Championship.

For information, contact Mr. Ernesto Santos – “La Boule New Yorkaise” Email: info@labouleny.com.

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