Summer Games in Zurich Part 1: Boules

Zurich has a lot of places and groups that offer great activities during summer. This post will be dedicated to the game "Boules". There's tons of names for variations of the game, like Bocce, Pétanque, Boccia, bowls, and probably some more but just so we get each other right: If I'm referring to metal balls or so, I'm not talking about crown jewels here. 


First, as usual, something about the history of this sport. uh, wait. that's second. First I need to make certain you know what it actually is. If you know Helvetiaplatz or also Lindenhof Platz in Zurich (more to that later), you might have seen a scene like this:

(I honestly don't know if it is a rule to wear a beret during the game or if this is just a way of the french to say "beh, voila, moi pétanque. bleh.")


You might also have noticed the round objects on the floor (commonly known as "balls" or "bowls"). Traditionally they are made of some heavy metal (meh, no Black Sabbath...). To play, you need two of them per person and one small ball, usually called Jack (or as the french say "cochonnet"). Quickly said, the aim of the game is to throw your balls (every player, also girls, usually have two of them) as close as possible to the Jack. It's also allowed to hit some other player's balls to get them further away from the aim.
(I don't want to explain the rules in detail here because whoever you're going to play with, I'm sure they do have their own rules. Let them explain the way they play it first. If you want to be well informed and start your own game, click here)


Generally, Boules is a really easygoing tranquil game (again, unless you hit the wrong balls) and can easily keep some old guys busy for a whole afternoon. It's a good way to have some business discussions, too. (If you disagree, just throw the balls at your partner's head.)


Boules originated in the ancient Roman Empire. That's enough about history so far. 


The best places to observe real Boule players in Zurich are as mentioned first of all the schoolyard next to Helvetiaplatz as well as (more rare, though) Lindenhofplatz close to Bahnhofstrasse. 


This is a gentlemen's sport. So if you play it...