The game of Petanque dates back into the Middle Ages and even further to Roman times. The current game was invented in 1910 at a cafe in the Provence region of southern France, where in the local language pieds tanqués means “fixed feet.” As the story goes, good friends adopted a more mobile version of the game, requiring an active run-up, in order to accommodate a good friend whose movement had been restricted by illness. In this way, petanque was born. Indeed, each player in turn must stand inside a marked circle and attempt to throw his or her ball closer to the target cochonnet. That seems simple enough, but every moment of every game is unique. Petanque is played on a gravel surface, and the terrain itself may be uneven. Opponents block one’s best shots or even remove a well-placed ball by “shooting” it away from the target with a strategic arching toss through the air. Luck plays a definite role in any game, but skills of “pointing” close to the target or “shooting” as described may be honed over time. Games are played between two individuals or by teams of two or three players each. The inexpensive game requires only a modest investment in equipment that will last for years.