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know the game
Petanque, in one breath
Petanque is the French cousin of bocce, played with small steel balls you throw rather than big balls you roll. The whole game happens from a fixed circle with your feet planted together, which is where the name comes from (pieds tanques, or feet together).
The shortlist
Our top petanque picks at a glance
These are ordered by what you are shopping for, not by score. The
number rates each set on build and play quality on its own, so a specialist pick like
the tournament set or the premium wood can out-score the all-round winner and still not
be the one most people should buy. The highest score on the page takes the MVP ribbon.
91 Best Overall
Pros - Solid chrome-plated steel boules that feel substantial in the hand
- Comes with the cochonnet and a carry case to corral the heavy set
- Mid-weight leisure feel that works for the whole family
Watch for - Leisure-grade steel, not certified competition boules for serious clubs
- Six steel balls plus a case make for a genuinely heavy thing to carry
Who it's for This is the set I draft for a family or casual crew that wants real steel boules and a case without paying for competition certification, and a licensed club player will want a tuned competition set instead.
87 Best for Beginners
Pros - Approachable weight and grip that new players can throw cleanly
- Includes the target ball and a zippered carry bag
- A friendly mid-weight set that is easy to learn the game on
Watch for - Geared to casual play rather than the precise weights a competition demands
- Lighter feel topples a touch less predictably than heavier boules
Who it's for Reach for this if your group is new to petanque and wants a friendly set to learn on, and dedicated players chasing a consistent point will eventually want heavier boules.
MVP Pick 94 Best for Competition Play
Pros - Made by the most recognized name in petanque, built to certified standards
- Available in different weights and hardnesses for pointing or shooting
- Holds up to serious, repeated club-level play
Watch for - A premium price that casual backyard players will not need to spend
- You often choose weight and bore yourself, which is more decision than a beginner wants
Who it's for This is the pick for a real club or league player who wants certified boules tuned to their throw, and a once-a-summer backyard crew is paying for precision they will never feel.
82 Best Budget
Pros - Eight polished steel boules and a plastic jack
- Nylon carrying case included
- Listed for ages 14 and up
Watch for - Thinner plating that can scuff and show wear faster than premium boules
- Lighter, less precise balls that competitive players will quickly outgrow
Who it's for A recreational steel-boules set for teens and adults; confirm competition equipment requirements separately.
From the commissioner
How to choose a petanque set
- Leisure vs competition is the first fork in the road. Leisure boules are a single all-purpose ball, often chrome-plated, sized somewhere in the middle so anyone in the family can throw them. Competition boules are made to certified diameters and weights and come in carbon, stainless, or other steels tuned for pointing or shooting. For the backyard, a quality leisure set is almost always the right call.
- Boule weight matters more than people expect. Heavier boules (toward the upper end of the range) sit where they land and resist getting knocked away, which suits pointers. Lighter boules are easier on the wrist and better for kids and casual throwers. If your group is mixed ages, a mid-weight leisure set keeps everyone happy. Do not chase a competition weight you do not need.
- Check the diameter for the hands using it. Smaller-diameter boules fit smaller hands and are easier for kids and many adults to grip and throw cleanly. A boule that is too big to palm comfortably will wobble out of your hand. Leisure sets usually pick a friendly middle diameter on purpose.
- Look at the case and the cochonnet. A petanque set should include the little wooden target ball (the cochonnet) and a carry case or bag, because a 6-boule set is heavy and easy to scatter in a garage. A measuring string or tape for close calls is a nice bonus that better sets include.
- Know how petanque differs from bocce before you buy. Petanque boules are small steel balls you throw through the air from a standing circle, while bocce uses big balls you roll along the ground. If you actually want the rolling lawn game, buy bocce instead. For the throw-from-a-circle steel game, petanque is what you want, and the two are not interchangeable.
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Buyer's desk
Petanque buying FAQ
What weight petanque boules should I get?
For casual backyard play, a mid-weight leisure boule suits most hands and mixed-age groups. Heavier boules resist getting knocked away and favor pointing, while lighter boules are easier for kids and lighter wrists. You only need to chase a specific competition weight if you are playing in a licensed club.
What is the difference between leisure and competition petanque boules?
Leisure boules are a single all-purpose ball, usually chrome-plated and sized for anyone to throw, and they are perfect for the backyard. Competition boules are made to certified diameters and weights in tuned steels for serious play. Most home players are happiest with a good leisure set.
Is petanque the same as bocce?
No. Petanque uses small steel balls you throw through the air from a fixed circle with your feet together, while bocce uses larger balls you roll along the ground and you can step. They are cousins, but the gear and the motion are different, so buy the one you actually want to play.
How many boules come in a petanque set?
Sets usually come with 6 or 8 boules plus the small wooden cochonnet target. A 6-boule set covers a 2v2 game (singles use 3 each), and larger sets let more people play. Most quality sets also include a carry case because steel boules are heavy.
