I am a non-licensed member of several clubs in Paris (AS-Jardin de Luxembourg, AB-Invalides) and Marseille (Boule Florian, Boule Carnussiennne). I began playing Pétanque in 1998, and have played 3-4 months per year in France ever since, mostly in Marseille. During the high season in Marseille, roughly mid-May through mid-September, I typically play 3-4 tournaments per week, using my FPUSA license (la Boule New Yorkaise). Any player with an American license is eligible to play in any tournament in France, with the exception of those departmental and regional competitions used to qualify French players for their own national championships.
In 2004, the French Federation adopted a rule of "homogénéité": for all weekend tournaments staged prior to May 31, all team members must be licensed by the same club. Designed to facilitate the concentration of elite players in elite clubs, the rule affected me negatively. I either lost my partners, or we were forced to play in non-Federation sponsored tournaments, called "concours sauvages." (Concours sauvages, usually sponsored by bars, are illegal under French Federation rules, but are common throughout France, especially in the Marseille-Aix-La Citotat triangle.) The rule was abolished in 2006 — may it rest in peace.
Nataf was very curious about the American system, which I tried to explain. His view was that the FPUSA "penalizes itself" with internal rules that make it impossible for American nationals to be licensed abroad, yet still compete in USA national championships and on the national team. He also thinks that we should encourage players from abroad to play in the U.S., in order to raise standards. Even if one accepts the first point, it bears repeating that Americans with FPUSA licenses are excluded from only a small number of important tournaments in France. On the other hand, not having a French license may make it more difficult for many Americans to find partners in the first place.
The National Triples Championship, inaugurated in 1946, is the most venerable and prestigious of all French national titles. The Singles and Doubles, which are now held at together each year, began in 1966 and 1970 respectively.
I have attended the Men's singles, doubles, and triples championships every year for many years now. Each is a two-day event. Over the course of the first day, play proceeds until there are 16 teams (or players in singles) remaining. The first round begins in pools of four (two teams eliminated after 3 games), and from then on it's direct elimination. Second-day competition begins at 8 a.m., with the round of 16. The first day is free for spectators, while seats for Sunday typically cost no more than $7. I highly recommend these events to Americans: there is no better introduction to the elite French game. In 2007, the National Triples will take place in Dijon, June 23-24, and the Singles-Doubles in Saint Louis (Alsace-Lorraine), June 30-July 1, one week before this year's Marseillaise.
