Pétanque
The beautiful, temperate winter desert is a mecca for sports enthusiasts in tennis, pickleball and golf. Unbeknownst to many who reside here, however, there’s also an enclave gathering twice a week to enjoy the sport of pétanque.
Tucked into a small piece of Hovely Soccer Park in Palm Desert, there is a niche dedicated to those who arrive early on Wednesdays and Sundays, armed with three “boules” (metal balls weighing around 1.5 pounds), a plastic circle, a hat, a smile and appreciation for the French language mingled in - from conversation to friendly taunts while at play.
For those who join Paul Bouvion, Acting President of La Boule du Désert Pétanque, it’s a taste of home with sport, community and, of course, a baguette.
La Boule du Désert Pétanque in the Coachella Valley was founded in 2003 by Pascal Corchia, a former professional soccer player who turned to pétanque after injuries, eventually competing at the World Championships for both the U.S. and Canada. The club’s leadership has since changed, with Bouvion leading for about the last 10 years.
The Palm Springs resident discovered the group roughly 15 years ago, when he moved to the area.
“I went to check them out and I haven’t left since,” says Bouvion.
Originally, the group played at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park. They approached the city of Palm Desert about a dedicated space and were granted the space in use today.
According to pétanque.org, “Pétanque was born in the early 1900s in the town of La Ciotat in Provence, France. It came to be when one of the former players was plagued by rheumatism so strong he could barely stand.”
The name of the new game stems from pieds tanqués, meaning feet planted on the ground,” explains the site.
Pétanque has since grown worldwide. In 2025, the Italian Pétanque Federation hosted the world championships for individuals, men’’s and women’’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
La Boule du Désert is more than sport, it’s an inclusive and welcoming group who place as much importance on the gathering of likeminded participants as on who wins. Young and old, men and women, and players facing mobility or sight challenges are all welcome.
Gerard Canabou, at nearly age 87, found the group of players after he moved to the area in 2005. Canabou also supported the players as President to La Boule du Désert during his years in the desert, saying at one time the group had up to 60 people. His wife of nearly 65 years has also played with the group.
Likening the French sport to baseball, he says he has played almost all his life, even traveling to the world championships four times.
“It keeps me active,” explains Canabou as to why he continues, adding, “the camaraderie of friends.”
When it’s time, the group will rest and recharge for an apropos follow up - an impeccable selection of cheese, nuts, bread, fresh fruit, meat and pastries plated on wooden serving boards, sparkling water, an Eiffel-tower-shaped table fly fan, and a red-plaid tablecloth underneath it all. It doesn’t hurt that some of La Boule are also in the restaurant industry and will bring their professional delicacies sur la table.
La Boule friendships move off the terrain, many times visiting each other’s restaurants, playing at courts at home, or even joining a motorcycle ride.
Bouvion explains that anyone interested in learning more about the sport is welcome. The group will lend boules for play.
“When players are ready to invest in their own boules, he says, “for as little as $150, that will last you a lifetime.”
Canabou suggests anyone interested in pétanque to watch the sport on YouTube.
“Just come down and take a look and if you like it, come back,” says Bouvion.
For more information, contact Bouvion at pbouvion@dc.rr.com or labouledudesert.org.
