About Boules
Boules refers to a family of ball sports where the objective is to throw or roll heavy balls as close as possible to a small target ball. These games have deep roots in Mediterranean culture and are popular across Europe, particularly in France, Italy, and Spain.
The boules family includes several distinct variants, each with its own rules, equipment, and playing style. Some variants involve throwing the ball (like pétanque), while others involve rolling (like bocce). Some allow a run-up before throwing, while others require players to stand still.
Boules Variants
Where to Play
Boules can be played almost anywhere with a relatively flat surface. Dedicated boules courts (called “boulodromes” for pétanque or “bocce courts” for bocce) offer the best experience with proper surfaces and marked playing areas.
Many public parks, especially in France and Italy, have designated boules areas. The sport’s accessibility makes it popular for all ages and skill levels.
Showing boules facilities from OpenStreetMap (sport=boules). Markers are clustered at lower zoom levels — zoom in to see individual locations.
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