What do Pierre Richard, Yannick Noah, and Petr Fuksa have in common? The CLAP CLUB!

CLAP (Club Lepic Abbesses Pétanque) is not the only pétanque club in Montmartre, Paris, but it is one of the most beautiful and convivial places I’ve ever played.

Cathia, whom I coached during a CIEP pétanque training camp in Sergines, France, invited me there in 2023.

Just walk up this magical staircase and you will find yourself in a pétanque player’s paradise

Cathia is a long-time Montmartre resident, so before visiting the courts she gave me a tour of her „village.“ Here, locals greet each other on the street and the atmosphere is completely different from the rest of Paris.

Cathia guided me mostly off the beaten tourist track, but we could not resist following in the footsteps of the wonderful Amélie, visiting film locations like Cafe des 2 Moulins. (Incidentally, the original French title of the movie is The Wonderful Fate of Amélie Poulain).

Café des 2 Moulins is a must-stop for all lovers of Amélie

Don’t touch my CLAP!

So what is the fate of CLAP? Founded over 50 years ago, the club has become very well known in the French pétanque scene in recent months. A neighbouring hotel has taken a liking to the property the CLAP courts are set on and would like to expand there.

As a result, pétanque players from all over France signed petitions in support of this club with its lively history and culture. Despite all this, a court ruling ordered CLAP to vacate the site. It’s a pity to lose this wonderful place of camaraderie and sport, where even on a weekday you can find (and join) many players of all generations. Owners and staff from nearby restaurants, shop assistants, senior citizens, actors, and singers are CLAP members—basically, players represent as many professions as there are flavors of macarons.

I was happy to team up with Cathia and play a game against two of her friends. I also observed an interesting difference between the mentality of some of the players in France and in the Czech Republic. When we announced that Cathia would be our team’s shooter and I would point, there was an odd reaction. While this team set up is common enough in Central European tournaments, it seemed in France every woman in a mixed team was automatically pigeonholed as a pointer. Hey, open your mind, guys! I can’t imagine how the gentlemen we played against—and their entourage—would have taken it if they hadn’t narrowly beaten us in the end!

I didn’t meet the famous comedian Pierre Richard or Roland Garros winner Yannick Noah at CLAP this time, but perhaps I will next time. And I do hope there is a next time, and many more.

Petr „Pierre“ Fuksa
International Trainer and Promoter of Pétanque
Author of Online School of Pétanque
E-mail: fuksa@petanque-pro-vas.com