Bassin de la Villette - la vie quotidienne

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nzcH75tph79Yvq0KatksbDwJ9QN2WxLtEjbEMTQTKLEwcekyq9mxGoZqPAShCU_hs5d3cmzCc2AsNjf1Zwibvjo_6QsY5iiGL1tOKld76BphQYz-vW9PzQP8d1O_VxLDe8MOEuisIWc/s1600/2011+April+17+DSC_0243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nzcH75tph79Yvq0KatksbDwJ9QN2WxLtEjbEMTQTKLEwcekyq9mxGoZqPAShCU_hs5d3cmzCc2AsNjf1Zwibvjo_6QsY5iiGL1tOKld76BphQYz-vW9PzQP8d1O_VxLDe8MOEuisIWc/s1600/2011+April+17+DSC_0243.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Bassin de la Villette</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This is a scene far from the tourist crowds of Paris, </div><div align="center">but is a favorite spot for the Parisians on a Sunday afternoon.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Pétanque (more games than I could count), </div><div align="center">picnics among friends, </div><div align="center">multi-generation families out for a water-side stroll,</div><div align="center">children at play riding <em>trotinettes</em>...</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">There is something here for everyone.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Bassin de la Villette</em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Quai de la Loire</em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>75019, Paris</em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>Métro Laumière</em></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><em></em></span> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div>

Bassin de la Villette - la vie quotidienne

Bassin de la Villette       This is a scene far from the tourist crowds of Paris, but is a favorite spot for the Parisians on a Sunday after...

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Bassin de la Villette - pétanque

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjharj-lTdj2jrcvOpCkhxw1biDd762xPXZyTNMCNz0L4yHS8TULOOwrwVvplJh2TCc4hmRyv0yri29O0ndUgVAkmgyXVnB0ttq3wNeCqDOwIENTdLTyELpsdDU5IGWsjc8FR5SPmwJgGc/s1600/2011+April+17+DSC_0256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjharj-lTdj2jrcvOpCkhxw1biDd762xPXZyTNMCNz0L4yHS8TULOOwrwVvplJh2TCc4hmRyv0yri29O0ndUgVAkmgyXVnB0ttq3wNeCqDOwIENTdLTyELpsdDU5IGWsjc8FR5SPmwJgGc/s1600/2011+April+17+DSC_0256.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bassin de la Villette</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On a Sunday afternoon </div><div style="text-align: center;">you will find many groups of people playing pétanque.  </div><div style="text-align: center;">We found a foursome of twenty-somethings </div><div style="text-align: center;">enjoying a game with a man and a woman on each team.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So much for thinking that only </div><div style="text-align: center;">little old French men play pétanque.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Quai de la Loire</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bassin de la Villette</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75019, Paris</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Bassin de la Villette - pétanque

Bassin de la Villette On a Sunday afternoon  you will find many groups of people playing pétanque.   We found a foursome of twenty-something...

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Pétanque XXIII

<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90442945@N06/10735642256/" title="2012 Oct 7 Sunday_22DSC_8978 by Genie Paris, on Flickr"><img alt="2012 Oct 7 Sunday_22DSC_8978" height="547" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/10735642256_2b27624aac_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pétanque</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jardin des Tuileries</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I used to believe that this was only a game in Paris for men of a certain age, but have discovered that it is played by all ages, men and women.  Once you get away from Jardin des Tuileries and Jardin du Luxembourg you will see a greater variety in the players.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Do you see two groups of children?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jardin des Tuileries</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">75001, Paris</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Pétanque XXIII

Pétanque Jardin des Tuileries I used to believe that this was only a game in Paris for men of a certain age, but have discovered that it is ...

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Bassin de la Villette - pétanque XXII

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6fg3STaFMVcOfgqGjuUO6PqR4MF8OH2del-e_tdx7Jnrssz5ZuwMHfD8tKUS1R08KSZrGQpvr-3MtUUpEpZ69jFT-vRqVu-LwKOy2aX-ip7FQeFlQ7EDGGCtW0fJQtSJ30kkj5czZZQ/s1600/2011+0417+day+6+DSC_0243+b-w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6fg3STaFMVcOfgqGjuUO6PqR4MF8OH2del-e_tdx7Jnrssz5ZuwMHfD8tKUS1R08KSZrGQpvr-3MtUUpEpZ69jFT-vRqVu-LwKOy2aX-ip7FQeFlQ7EDGGCtW0fJQtSJ30kkj5czZZQ/s640/2011+0417+day+6+DSC_0243+b-w.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJcWB6N24nmxrumAMMJj4fOHmAAj6q6PsQtoYoyxowMah4Wo_Cx251raVBeXtk_Z7ArGWt-RXI0dTZ_LNIlv1ypm2-tuY921BTYO7tSqRI29gS4cCEtaeVAZsa3YS5TAYOx5J3tlawO0/s1600/2011+0417+day+6+DSC_0243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bassin de la Villette</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you really want to be among the Parisians, take a stroll along the quais of Bassin de la Villette on any weekend.  It is a delightful spot for a picnic and for watching people.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Perhaps you will stop in Bar l'Ourcq for some </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>boules</i> and a game of pétanque with friends.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Bassin de la Villette</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Quai de la Loire</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>75019, Paris</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Métro Laumière</em></span></div>

Bassin de la Villette - pétanque XXII

Bassin de la Villette If you really want to be among the Parisians, take a stroll along the quais of Bassin de la Villette on any weekend.  ...

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Pétanque?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGtENvCN5RJxzO8ujRaORvhw6Tv0gJWcXrPOD20aWk5c-fcWaRuV4ugXCODCxca5hbj_WFhm4HxI_71fesIKnGzBpw-E19-bwUJCNDgbz6KRktykoPi0k3UAB0GRCAPzLjWnG__2czkQ/s1600/2012+Mar25-26+P_143DSC_4075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGtENvCN5RJxzO8ujRaORvhw6Tv0gJWcXrPOD20aWk5c-fcWaRuV4ugXCODCxca5hbj_WFhm4HxI_71fesIKnGzBpw-E19-bwUJCNDgbz6KRktykoPi0k3UAB0GRCAPzLjWnG__2czkQ/s640/2012+Mar25-26+P_143DSC_4075.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jardin du Luxembourg</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rather than an intense game of Pétanque among the masters of the game,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">it appears that I found them taking a break.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Jardin du Luxembourg</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>75006, Paris</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em></em></span></div>

Pétanque?

Jardin du Luxembourg Rather than an intense game of Pétanque among the masters of the game, it appears that I found them taking a break. Jar...

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Bassin de la Villette - Pétanque

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1zwIZjCn2Zm8ybzdWg6vpwYis75TNaM4jfyoKuN5W4pkfOUxJuZ4gu4gyfv9WTGFvCBVvoC3OPkEE_K3F8oi0GU6QGe1vDADUZyfUTOaBI4e8Xf9EfT1KY6OO2PwjbCWywwjUyUpX_E/s1600/2011+April+Day+6+DSC_0270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1zwIZjCn2Zm8ybzdWg6vpwYis75TNaM4jfyoKuN5W4pkfOUxJuZ4gu4gyfv9WTGFvCBVvoC3OPkEE_K3F8oi0GU6QGe1vDADUZyfUTOaBI4e8Xf9EfT1KY6OO2PwjbCWywwjUyUpX_E/s640/2011+April+Day+6+DSC_0270.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the long promenade around Bassin de la Villette, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">one can see many games of Pétanque and players of all ages.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Although this man seemed quite intense </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">let me assure you that it was a lively, spirited game among friends, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">including women.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>(Couldn't this be an Olympic sport?)</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Bassin de la Villette</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Quai de la Loire</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>75019, Paris</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Métro Laumière</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Bassin de la Villette - Pétanque

In the long promenade around Bassin de la Villette, one can see many games of Pétanque and players of all ages.    Although this man seemed ...

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Pétanque - Jardin du Luxembourg

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEJKUDg6e3flc_lr9FhG3CjGhUGG0_rD1x0lJA5YNGSMCHfPwPPT-OM2afpjbPd52xLHUeUrBlE37ZaqVKT-JKM_xf-DnR-gp4kk3P2OaIJVaYeqOnG0bCQANMXWRNnbOuv2oQ4jIIZs/s1600/2012+Jan+15++2nd_0525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEJKUDg6e3flc_lr9FhG3CjGhUGG0_rD1x0lJA5YNGSMCHfPwPPT-OM2afpjbPd52xLHUeUrBlE37ZaqVKT-JKM_xf-DnR-gp4kk3P2OaIJVaYeqOnG0bCQANMXWRNnbOuv2oQ4jIIZs/s640/2012+Jan+15++2nd_0525.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Although I have never played <a href="http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Sports/DF_boules.shtml" target="_blank"><strong>Pétanque</strong></a>, one can learn much by watching.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The guys playing in Le Luco* on a Sunday afternoon were experts in form and accuracy.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A few fine points:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All of the balls are a dull silver color without any special markings, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">but everybody seems to know which ones are theirs.  Actually, they come in different <a href="http://www.playaboule.com/How_to_choose_petanque_balls.aspx" target="_blank"><strong>sizes, weights, groove patterns, and hardness</strong></a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do you see the pendant around his neck?  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is a cord with a <em>boule lifter magnet</em>, perfect for picking up his boules </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">without stooping over.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Don't forget about the soft cloth to wipe off grit from the boules</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>(*Le Luco - the nickname for Luxembourg Gardens)</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Jardin du Luxembourg</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>75006, Paris</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>

Pétanque - Jardin du Luxembourg

Although I have never played Pétanque , one can learn much by watching.  The guys playing in Le Luco* on a Sunday afternoon were experts in ...

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