The classic French game involving balls, boules (or pétanque), is best performed or watched at the Arènes de Lutèce and the Bois de Vincennes. The principle is the same as British bowls but the terrain is always rough – usually gravel or sand and never grass – and the area much smaller. The metal ball is usually thrown upwards from a distance of about 10m, with a strong backspin that stuns it in order to stop it skidding away from the wooden marker (cochonnet). It's very male-dominated, and socially the equivalent of darts or perhaps pool: there are café or neighbourhood teams and endless championships. On balmy summer evenings it's a common sight in many of the city's parks and gardens.
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