Entertaining pétanque at Place de Gaulle
Place de Gaulle is the heart of Saint-Paul de Vence and the first thing that greets visitors on arrival. Also known as the city’s iconic boules court, the square is buzzing with life and community.
Under the majestic, centuries-old plane trees, locals gather throughout the day to enjoy a game of pétanque or simply relax in the shade.
In summer, boules tournaments are held at Place Charles de Gaulle, where villagers and visitors meet in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The square has a rich history and has attracted celebrities such as Lino Ventura, Georges Géret and Yves Montand, who even sponsored boules tournaments for the village children.
Kiss “Fanny” – A tradition with a humorous twist
Renowned sculptor César has created a unique decoration for Café de la Place, located right next to the boules court. The artwork, known as a “Fanny”, depicts a pair of round, juicy buttocks – and according to tradition, any player who loses without scoring a single point must plant a kiss on them! A fun and charming custom that brings smiles and laughter to the game of pétanque in Saint-Paul de Vence.
A historic meeting place for artists
This café and the square around it has been a gathering point for some of the most famous artists of the Golden Age, including Pablo Picasso, Miró, Braque and Chagall – just to name a few.
A restroom out of the ordinary
A visit to the café is not complete without a visit to their unique restroom. The room is decorated with an impressive silver and white glass mosaic that adorns every wall and creates a very special atmosphere.
Learn to play pétanque on a historic course
Are boule and pétanque the same thing? Well, not exactly. Boule is the French word for ball and covers several different ball games played in southern Europe, while pétanque is the name of a specific variant of the game.
A one-hour lesson, booked through the local tourist office, is a great opportunity to learn the rules, techniques and expressions of the game – and where better to do that than on perhaps the world’s most famous boules court? At the same time, you can enjoy the authentic atmosphere that this historic square oozes.
Classes last one hour and cost €7 per person. Children under the age of 12 attend for free. Classes are offered in English, French and German.
Read also: Pétanque rules and its history
Information and booking:
Tourist Office
2 Rue Grande
📞 +33 (0)4 93 32 86 95
✉️ serviceguide@saint-pauldevence.com
By Tommy Sverre – updated 2025
