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On a sunny afternoon, several men gather in a little dusty square and chase and throw metal balls under huge plane trees.  People sitting in a nearby café watch this simple yet very engaging game called pétanque while sipping pastis.  Time passes slowly here and cicadas all around sing incessantly like a broken record... Isn't this joie de vivre at its best?

A scene such as this is repeated everywhere in the south of France when the weather is good - and it is most of the year.  While traveling in the French Riviera, I witnessed another game in Saint-Paul de Vence, a medieval hilltop village.  But this particular square is not just another playing field because of some famous players.  Actors Yves Montand and Lino Ventura were among regulars here.  They are both gone but may be still playing pétanque up there.

"Yves Montand, c'est la joie de vivre." - Julien Dassin, son of Joe Dassin, singer-songwriter

Pétanque (Saint-Paul de Vence, France) IV

Click for an enlarged view.

Media: Original watercolor on paper

Image Size: 15.5 x 11.5 inches (39 x 29 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Sold

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