Pétanque et Pâtisseries

Last Friday, OWU’s Cercle Français (French Club) hosted an event on the JAYwalk. 

This event consisted of playing a French throwing game called “pétanque” and sweet donut treats from Delaware’s own Ciao Café.

Pictured: Arianna Morris, Prof. Gregory, Ally Gerty

Pétanque is a traditional French throwing game where players throw small metal balls, called “boules”, as close as they can to a smaller, wooden ball referred to as a “cochonette”. A player will stand inside a small designated circle and throw their ball from there. This game can be played on any surface, which makes it perfect to play on our campus!

The origins of pétanque stem from the French, particularly Southern French, practices of strong community bonds and a relaxed lifestyle. Pétanque has become an international sport, reinforcing the cultural traditions of the French and allowing integration with other cultures.

Pictured: Prof. Gregory, Isaiah Ratliff

This event was not intended for just French students at OWU, though. Events hosted by Cercle Français are for students at different levels of French fluency, including those who have no prior knowledge of the language.

Cercle Français hosts conversation tables every Friday at the lunch hour in University Hall for those who want to help improve their French speaking skills, or for those who

simply want a fun and social environment to hang out in (while also speaking French, of course).

Pictured: Prof. Gregory, Norah Hyman, Cameron Gray

On that note, think about adding a French major or minor, regardless of your experience! Becoming a French major requires a semester of studying abroad, a unique and life-changing experience that is not offered at many other universities. But that does not mean that if you are a French minor, you can’t study abroad! By opening yourself up to learning a new language, culture, and way of thinking, you also open yourself up to a multitude of opportunities offered here at OWU.

Photos by Prof. Conrad Gregory