Hans Silvester explains that pétanque brought together "peasants, but also shopkeepers, craftsmen, men who did not necessarily have the same interests, who competed in a friendly manner, in provençal of course, and all wearing berets, and all with a cigarette in their mouths!".

From his first trip to Provence, Hans Silvester was fascinated by the petanque players, an activity that was widely practiced in the region. When he moved to Provence a few years later, he was introduced to the game of boules with local figures. He came across famous players whom he immortalised in his photographs, such as the gamekeeper of Murs, "Chinche", who is among the best known and most prized photos. He gradually made a place for himself by developing the photos and taking them to the players the next day, and was thus able to immortalise some anthology photographs...

Retour De Voyage has selected this photograph by Hans Silvester which perfectly depicts the attire of the petanque players.