Bassin de la Villette Petanque

Bassin de la Villette

Where you find the smooth "Paris dirt" 

which I believe is a fine limestone gravel,

you will find people playing Petanque.  

It is not a game limited to the "old timers" you see in Louxembourg Gardens

 or Tuileries, but a game enjoyed by friends 

and family of of ages, gender, and generations.

bon weekend

Bassin de la Villette

75019, Paris

Bassin de la Villette - la vie quotidienne

Bassin de la Villette

 

 

 

This is a scene far from the tourist crowds of Paris,

but is a favorite spot for the Parisians on a Sunday afternoon.

 

 

Pétanque (more games than I could count),

picnics among friends,

multi-generation families out for a water-side stroll,

children at play riding trotinettes...

 

 

There is something here for everyone.

 

 

 

Bassin de la Villette

Quai de la Loire

75019, Paris

Métro Laumière

 

 



 

 

 



Bassin de la Villette - la vie quotidienne

Bassin de la Villette

This is not a place frequented by tourists...

which is why I love it so.

It is a place where Parisians can enjoy a relaxing afternoon:

sunning, strolling, having a picnic, playing games...

It is a great place to observe the best of Paris, 

to see the locals as "not so different" from you.

However, do note that there are no guard rails 

and a meter drop to the surface of the water.

Bassin de la Villette

75019, Paris

Bassin de la Villette - pétanque

Bassin de la Villette

On a Sunday afternoon 

you will find many groups of people playing pétanque.  

We found a foursome of twenty-somethings 

enjoying a game with a man and a woman on each team.  

So much for thinking that only 

little old French men play pétanque.

Quai de la Loire

Bassin de la Villette

75019, Paris

Bassin de la Villette - pétanque XXII

Bassin de la Villette

If you really want to be among the Parisians, take a stroll along the quais of Bassin de la Villette on any weekend.  It is a delightful spot for a picnic and for watching people.

Perhaps you will stop in Bar l'Ourcq for some 

boules and a game of pétanque with friends.

Bassin de la Villette

Quai de la Loire

75019, Paris

Métro Laumière

Bassin de la Villette - Pétanque

Pétanque

The game is not just for older men in Paris.  

This area on the bank of Bassin de la Villette 

is filled with people of all ages, families, young friends, 

all enjoying an afternoon of this popular game.

Perhaps we will try our skill this week

Bassin de la Villette

Quai de la Loire

75019, Paris

Métro Laumière

Pétanque X - Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg

On my next trip to Paris I would like to play a game of Pétanque

but the regulars of Jardin du Luxembourg (and Tuileries)

would not likely embrace this American beginner.

Perhaps a trip to Bassin de la Villette in the 19ème 

would be a better place to start.

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

Bassin de la Villette - Pétanque

In the long promenade around Bassin de la Villette,

one can see many games of Pétanque and players of all ages. 

 

Although this man seemed quite intense

let me assure you that it was a lively, spirited game among friends,

including women.

(Couldn't this be an Olympic sport?)

 

Bassin de la Villette

Quai de la Loire

75019, Paris

Métro Laumière

Bassin de la Villette - IV

A Sunday afternoon on the quai of Bassin de la Villette...

 out for a spin, a game of Pétanque with friends, a picnic, or just soaking up the Paris sun

There is quite a drop into the water without a rail,

and I worried a bit for this fellow and other little ones so close to the edge.

Bassin de la Villette

Quai de la Loire

75019, Paris



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.

Pétanque avec des amis

Although I have seen mostly older gentlemen playing pétanque in Jardin du Luxembourg and Jardin des Tuileries, we found several mixed groups of twenty-somethings playing in the long promenade around Bassin de la Villette. The play was animated with squeals and shouts, mixed with quiet whispers of strategy.

I will show you more of this scene with some of the young women competing with the men in future posts.

Bassin de la Villette
Quai de la Loire

Bassin de la Villette -- le dimanche

A beautiful weekend afternoon brings all ages to the parks, to the gardens, to the banks of the waterways of Paris. Bassin de la Villette is no exception and this papa was kind enough to smile for me.

Who dressed that baby?

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