The aim of the game is simple: place the boules as close to the “maître” (equivalent to the jack at the petanque) as possible. Today, clubs are open to everybody, but it was not always like this: up to the 1970s, women were not allowed in the clubs and newcomers could only be admitted when sponsored by a club member. Maintenance fees are payed with the income of the refreshment bar. The “boule de fort” clubs or circles are convivial places where people meet to play and train for challenges, but also to have a chat. In fact, nobody really knows where this sport comes from, but this doesn’t keep people from playing! In some parts of Belgium and the Netherlands as well as in the North of France (around Tourcoing, Lille, …), people played “bourle” which is also similar to “boule de fort”. Some say, the game was first brought to the Loire valley by English and Dutch merchants who played a similar game called “boulingrin” (“bowling green” or “lawn bowl” in English as a reference to grass fields) which was popular all over the Commonwealth. There are a lot of different theories about it. The origin of the boule de fort game is rather mysterious. It’s really not easy to place a boule close to the “maître” (jack). The rules are similar to petanque, but the conditions are totally different: the game is played indoors and in silence, on a curved field with asymmetric and lopsided boules. It is unique in France and listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. A traditional game of the Loire valley and especially the Anjou region, the « boule de fort » game is the only sport you play wearing slippers.
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January 2023
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