Petanque in Paris and other Paris, France Sports Travel Tips

Theme: Sports Watching

'Petanque' is an old French game with steel balls (boules), and if you've been to Southern France, you must have seen some petanque-players around in the parks.

The game is not only played at a fun-level though. It has it's own World Championships and other huge local and international tournaments all around the world.

But petanque is most known as the 'national sport' in France, and natuarally it's played in Paris too, even though it's most popular in the southern areas of the country.

Would be hard to explain the full rules here, but if you would like to watch the game, try playing it yourself or maybe you've already an experienced player...there is some great places to do so in the center of Paris....

ARENES DE LUTECE
This old gladitors arena is now the home of a petanque club, which has it's 'clubhouse' just across the street in a small bar. You'll be able to see some players there every day, and many people go there to relax a little or play different games (soccer, Frisbee...). The arena is located near 'Place Monge' and 'Jardin des Plantes'.

JARDIN DU LUXEMBOURG
This is another great place to play the game. In the eastern end of the huge park, there a some nice petanque-courts under the trees and with a small pancake house besides them. The park can be found near the Latin Quarter.

LES HALLES
The park around the Les Halles area is another place were you get the chance to meet some petanque players, and get to watch them play...mainly in the afternoon hours.

Equipment: If you wanna play yourself but don't have any boules, you just gotta find the nearest big sports shop, where you'll get a set of 3 boules for a fair price. Look in one of the big 'GO SPORT' shops....can be found inside Les Halles for example.

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Address: See 'adresses' above

Theme: Sports Watching

The huge home of the French national soccer team, and the home of many different sport events and concerts - Stade de France is located in Saint Denis just outside of Paris, and can be reached with the RER-trains, the subway or the bus.

Even when there are no events going on, it's possible to visit the 80.000 seat stadium and get a guided tour in French or English.
You'll get to see the inside of the impressive 'arena', the locker rooms, the presidents VIP-seats, the player-entrance and stuff like that.
Worth a visit even though you're not a soccer fan!

There is also a small museum where you can see how the stadium was buildt, and a souvenier-shop.

The guided tours in English is only in the peak season, taking place at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. You don't have to order ahead.
Adult prices are 10 Euros, and children under 12 is 7 Euros. Children over 12 and students are 8.5 Euros.

Equipment: You don't need any equipmet, but a camera is always good to have.

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Address: Stade de France, Saint Denis
Directions: You can take the RER (B ) or ( D).
With (B) go to 'La Plaine Stade de France'
With (D) go to 'Stade de France - Saint Denis'
You have to walk a little too!
Website: http://www.stadefrance.fr/

Theme: Other

Paris is a nice place for rollerbladers. Unfortunately I haven't had the pleassure of bringing my skates there yet, but I hope to do so soon!

But around town, you'll get the chance to see some really good skaters make their own little shows on open squares. This photo is from a square just beside 'Louvre', and the Trocadéro-area in front of the Eiffel-Tower is very popular among 'show-skaters' where they do their drills on the slightly vertical streets.

Besides that I know that there are huge rollerskate-runs every friday nigth (all year) from the Montparnasse Tower and around town. About 4000 skaters participate and goes on from 22:00-01:00. Haven't experienced this myselt yet, but will make it's own tip when I do so...
Look at the website for information in english!

Another interesting rollerskating-fact is that there are actually policemen wearing rollerskates! I saw a pair of these 'roller cops' around the Les Halles area :)

Equipment: If you want to get rolling you natuarlly have to bring your own skates. If you want to buy some skates in Paris, look for the GO SPORT shops. You can't find a big one in Les Halles.

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Address: Many places
Website: http://www.pari-roller.com/?lang=en