Pétanque comes from Provençal, the french pèd tanco, and literally translates to ‘foot fixed (to the ground)’, describing the start position. The French game is a form of boules where the goal is to throw hollow metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a cochonnet.

The Alexandra Park Pétanque Courts are free to use.

With thanks to C Field, Capital Gardens and Hornsey Petanque Club whose donations helped make the Pétanque Courts possible.