Mondial La Marseillaise à Pétanque

Sixty-five years of pétanque in Marseille

The Mondial La Marseillaise à Pétanque was born in 1962, launched by the teams of the newspaper La Marseillaise and the entrepreneur Paul Ricard. The first edition brought together nearly 1,200 players at the Parc Borély in Marseille. Since then, the competition has continued to grow, evolving from a local event to a national and then international gathering, becoming the most prestigious pétanque competition in the world.

A competition open to all

What makes La Marseillaise unique and popular is its profoundly open and popular character. The competition is played in trios — teams of three players — which can be male, female, or mixed. It is open to everyone, licensed or not, with no age limit. From the Sunday player to the world champion, everyone meets on the same courts to share the passion for the 'cochonnet' (the small jack).

Parc Borély and the entire city

The Parc Borély, in the 8th arrondissement of Marseille, is the historic heart of the competition. But La Marseillaise extends far beyond the park: about thirty playing areas are set up in different neighborhoods of the city to host the thousands of games taking place simultaneously. The final rounds are played at Parc Borély, under the gaze of thousands of spectators and television cameras.

A popular and festive event

Beyond the sports competition, La Marseillaise is a true popular festival. For a week in July, the atmosphere of Marseille is punctuated by the sound of clashing boules, the cheers of spectators, and the conviviality of the refreshment stands and temporary restaurants set up around the courts. The 2026 edition marks the 65th edition of this event, which has become a Provençal institution, with the Grand Prix Féminin Paprec and the Trophée Crédit Mutuel des Jeunes opening the festivities.