Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Pétanque - IV


The casual atmosphere in the park between Quai de la Loire and the bank of Bassin de la Villette made it simple to take photos, candid shots of friends and families playing Pétanque. 

I wish that you could hear the symphony of sounds with the "clink" of the balls, the crunch of the limestone, and the background of easy laughter.


Bassin de la Villette
Quai de la Loire
19ième arr.
at

45 comments:

  1. Sylvia KSeptember 13, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    I wish I were there, right now! At least your photos are the next best thing! Thank you! Have a lovely day, Genie!

    Sylvia

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  2. French Girl in SeattleSeptember 13, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    These two are professionals! They are measuring the distance to the "cochonnet." Most famous sentence heard during petanque games: "Je tire, ou je pointe?" (Pointer=to aim for the jack vs tirer = to try and knock one of the opponent's boules out of the game.) Ah, memories of a childhood spent in Southern France... Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 2:41 AM

    Ahh-- wish indeed. This is a favourite scene of mine in the afternoon in France. I remember walking with my husband into the town of Saint Remy de Provence and we would see the regulars playing in the latish afternoon. It was lovely x

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  4. BergsonSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:23 AM

    une partie de pétanque ça fait plaisir

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  5. diveSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:43 AM

    Men … talking about balls or playing with them. It's the same the world over … even in Paris.

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  6. Cezar and LéiaSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    I wish I could understand this game, it looks so interesting! Wonderful capture!
    Léia

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  7. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    Au premier abord, les joueurs de pétanque amusent les touristes étrangers... Mais non, non, c'est très sérieux! Et, dans le sud de la France, le décor est encore plus magique: la pétanque se joue à l'ombre des platanes, sous le chant des cigales, un verre de pastis à portée de main... :-)

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  8. MalyssSeptember 13, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    Very usual around here in south of France, I have the sounds all days in my ears!This is a serious game, when they come to measure, it means money or a drink to win behind!

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  9. PerthDailyPhotoSeptember 13, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    I can just hear those sounds clearly in my head Genie, such a great family fun game. We play here at my place when we all get together and we have the best time. Love that feeling of enjoyment captured in this picture.

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  10. PetSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    So French!

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  11. s.cSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    What can I say. The Paris atmosphere captured again. Great shot

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  12. Carol Schiff Daily PaintingSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Gorgeous shot, Genie. I love the pose of the figure on the right....perfection!

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  13. biebkriebelsSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    I watched the trousers, interesting, the left one is almost loosing it and the right one has a white handkerchief in his back pocket. To polish the balls?

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  14. UnknownSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    oh I love it to play, this is a realy nice picture, big hugh Kathrin

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  15. UnknownSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    oh verdammt, der übersetzt immer, soll er gar nicht !!!

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  16. this is BelgiumSeptember 13, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    aha ! the pétanqueurs. these are younger than the ones I usually see.. the guy on the left does wear his pants the way many young and not so young guys do... I always wonder when I will see one on the street who really loses them and it
    I love pétanqueurs shots and am sorry that there is no excuse, reason or justification to post them on This is Belgium.
    and by the way. I found your reply on your post of les trois flâneurs fascination... I can hardly believe you go return with the pics ! that is really something !! bravo

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  17. Lynne with an eSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    I love the plimsolls.

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  18. Janey and Co.September 13, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    I look forward to your people shots!

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  19. KateSeptember 13, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    Ah, but I CAN hear it all if I close my eyes with your wonderful image in mind.

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  20. Tammy@Beatrice BanksSeptember 13, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Your wish is mine! You described it perfectly.

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  21. VirginiaSeptember 13, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Yes I can hear it as well. One of my favorite pastimes in Paris is this pastime that they enjoy so much!
    V

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  22. HalcyonSeptember 13, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    Looks like some serious players here. Better get a stick to see who's the closest.

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  23. Amanda SummerSeptember 13, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    i can hear the clink......and the sounds of the seine rushing by in the background

    love the b&w image - picks up the silvery patina on the petanque balls

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  24. StarmanSeptember 13, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Been there, did that. Nice shot.

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  25. LoreeSeptember 13, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    I really like this photo. Looks like they are discussing and important point.

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  26. suzanneberrySeptember 13, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    amazing! every post speaks volumes!

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  27. creativefashiongleeSeptember 13, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Cute photo. Ver serene with lots of love. :)

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  28. Paris PaulSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    I get to hear the "clink" whenever I want as I live right next door to the Canal!

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  29. Regina KSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Oh I could hear those clinks as you described them. Great shot.

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  30. Draffin BearsSeptember 13, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Hi Genie,

    It was great to discover your blog and many thanks for visiting mine.
    Your playing petanque, photo is great, love the black and white and the serious judging of the game.
    How could you not have a love affair with Paris?
    I have been to France twice, and looking forward to the day when I can go again.

    Happy week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  31. AlexaSeptember 13, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Looks like you captured a pretty intense moment in the game. I believe the "I just know you want to see my butt so I'll belt my pants as low as possible without losing them entirely" trend began here and I am a bit sorry to see it there.

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  32. MSeptember 13, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    Clink, crunch, aahhhh, laugh ... yes, what a delight on an afternoon! Sorry to have missed so many days ... work sometimes gets in the way of life! Loved the Hotel du Nord photo --- what a wonderful memory (I can taste that cool rose wine!). Bisous my dear friend. Thank you for your fantastic pictures!

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  33. JackSeptember 13, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Nice one, Genie. I don't remember this from my past Paris trips, but next time I will be paying better attention!

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  34. RandySeptember 13, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    Looks like an interesting game. Nice B&W Genie.

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  35. Grammy GoodwillSeptember 13, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    I was so intrigued by the game that I didn't notice the droopy pants. (That is a look I despise.)

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  36. Rob-bearSeptember 14, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    Looks like those chaps are having a ball. Or several, actually.
    Brilliant shot, Genie; especially good in B&W.

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  37. Genie -- Paris and BeyondSeptember 14, 2011 at 1:08 AM

    dive, you always bring humor and a laugh (merci)

    Véronique, thank you for the colloquial exchange between the players.

    Richard adds to our symphony with the senses of southern France, the chant of the cigales (cecadas), the shadow of the plane trees, and a toast of pastis... They sound like wonderful accompaniment to the music here.

    Paris Paul, it was your post a very long time ago that prompted my visit to Bassin de la Villette and I was not disappointed. Congratulations on your wedding, mon ami!

    I am glad that you like the Pétanque scene as I have some more shots and will space them out. Yes, I will be looking for more games in Paris when I return... soon.

    How I would love to create this playing field in my own yard, but there is a slope...

    Bises,
    Genie

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  38. martinealisonSeptember 14, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    Richard a raison... Dans le sud de la france c'est tout un art que de jouer et boire le pastis à la fois!... Lorsque je vivais vers Saint-Tropez, il était bon de traverser la place des lys et de les regarder les boulistes!...
    Une bien belle photo... merci de raviver mes souvenirs.
    Gros bisous

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  39. Genie -- Paris and BeyondSeptember 14, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    C'est une idée très géniale, Martine! De jouer et boire le pastis "à la fois!" Certainement!

    Merci, mon amie!

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  40. AnnSeptember 14, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    Oh that is such a simple photograph...
    but such a lovely one. It captures a feeling of happiness and joy of human encounters and emotions.

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  41. ErikaSeptember 14, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    Il y a encore quelqu'un qui joue à la pétanche!!
    Au revoir.

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  42. JamesSeptember 14, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    I totally agree with Sylvia! Great capture!

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  43. VreniSeptember 15, 2011 at 2:23 AM

    I like their casual and yet coot outfits.

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  44. JulieSeptember 17, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    What I like - in addition to those wonderful sounds - is the age of the gentlemen in your photograph. Traditions are handed down ...

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  45. RobSeptember 19, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    they are measuring the point. A fun game we too enjoy.

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Merci for your comments!