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Pétanque vs Bocce — What's the Difference?

Both are boules sports, but pétanque and bocce have different rules, equipment, and origins. Here's how to tell them apart.

The boules family

Boules sports go by many names — pétanque, bocce, bocce ball, lawn bowls, boules — and while they share a common ancestor, each game has distinct rules, equipment, and culture.

Pétanque

Origin: Provence, France (1907) Popular in: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, North Africa, Southeast Asia

Key rules:

  • Players stand with feet together inside a small circle
  • Boules are thrown underarm
  • Metal balls (650–800g)
  • Played on gravel, dirt, or sand
  • First to 13 points wins

    • Court: No fixed size — any flat, rough surface works

    Bocce

    Origin: Italy (ancient — documented use since Roman times, modern rules from the 19th century) Popular in: Italy, USA (especially Italian-American communities), South America, Australia

    Key rules:

  • Players may take a running step before releasing
  • The target ball (pallino) is usually white
  • Balls are made of wood, resin or metal
  • Played on dedicated bocce courts (typically 4m × 27.5m) or grass
  • Scoring varies by format

    • Court: Typically a long, narrow rectangular court with wooden/rubber bumpers

    Key differences at a glance

    | Feature | Pétanque | Bocce | |---------|----------|-------| | Origin | France | Italy | | Stance | Feet together, no run-up | Running step allowed | | Ball weight | 650–800g | 920g–1kg | | Surface | Gravel/dirt | Court (lagged), grass | | Target | Cochonnet (wood) | Pallino (resin/wood) | | Goal score | 13 points | Usually 12–16 |

    Which one should you play?

    Both are wonderfully social sports. If you're in a European city, pétanque is far more accessible — free public courts are common in parks across France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK. Find pétanque venues near you.

    Bocce is the better choice if you have access to a dedicated bocce court, or if you're playing on a smooth lawn.

    What about lawn bowls?

    Lawn bowls is a third cousin — played on very short grass, with biased bowls that curve. It's especially popular in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The culture and style of play are quite different from pétanque or bocce.