1.The origin of the Fanny myth
The expression ‘to be Fanny’ is said to date back to the mid-19th century, in south-eastern France. Several versions coexist: the most widespread story says that a young woman named Fanny, in Lyon or Marseille, agreed to console players who had suffered a humiliating defeat by giving them a kiss on the cheek—which gradually moved to another part of the body before becoming a symbolic ritual.
In the 1880s, the first paintings of Fanny appeared in the cafés and refreshment bars of southern France: a woman's backside painted on wood and prominently displayed to remind the losers of their fate. In the 20th century, the tradition spread to boulodromes throughout France and became a cherished social institution, while always remaining firmly in the realm of folklore.
2.What the FFPJP rules do (and don't) say
The first factual observation: the official FFPJP-CMSB rules do not mention the Fanny anywhere. No article, appendix or federation commentary requires a team losing 13–0 to kiss anything whatsoever. It is neither a rule of play, a penalty nor a contractual obligation.
In keeping with its sporting remit, the FFPJP only codifies the technical and disciplinary rules of the game: rules governing the circle, the jack, the boules, scoring, time limits and sporting penalties. The Fanny tradition belongs to a form of club customary practice —in other words, it exists because players keep it alive, not because it is written down anywhere.
The official FFPJP-CMSB rulebook contains nearly 40 articles codifying every aspect of pétanque. None of them mentions the Fanny. This is a notable peculiarity: few sports have preserved such a vibrant tradition while it remains completely outside the scope of the rules.
3.Why the Fanny has remained a club tradition
The Fanny tradition survives for one simple reason: it fulfils a social function that the rules alone cannot fulfil. It takes the sting out of defeat, turns humiliation into a shared ritual and brings the group together through a comic moment. No umpire penalises the loser: the loser willingly joins in the collective fun.
Codifying the Fanny in the rules would probably be a bad idea. It would turn it into an obligation, whereas its strength lies precisely in its voluntary nature. An imposed tradition loses its charm and becomes a chore.
4.Summary table: tradition vs rules
Here is a clear comparison between what is purely traditional and what comes under the official rules:
| Element | Club tradition | FFPJP Rules |
|---|---|---|
| 13–0 score = Fanny | Yes | Not mentioned |
| Obligation to kiss the Fanny | Yes (folklore) | No obligation |
| Penalty for refusing | Good-natured teasing | None |
| Drinks bought by the losers | Yes (variant) | Not codified |
| Score of 13 = official victory | Yes | Yes (Article 21) |
| Entry on the results board | If required by the club | Not required |
5.The Fanny in official competitions: what actually happens?
In an official FFPJP competition, a 13 to 0 score is recorded normally on the match sheet. The fanny status has no bearing on the rankings, nor on the federation points, nor on qualification for the next round. It is mathematically identical to a 13-1, 13-5 or 13-12 — only the win matters.
The symbolic ritual takes place, when it happens, after the end of the game, on the sidelines of the competition. No referee has to intervene. If a fanny has a symbolic trophy at the boulodrome (painting, statuette), you are free to brandish it or not — with no official value whatsoever.
6.Can you refuse to kiss the Fanny?
Yes, completely. No rule, no sanction, no obligation. Refusing the ritual carries no sporting or disciplinary risk. The only consequence will be social : players used to the ritual may tease you gently, the club may write your name on a board of the fannys who fled. Nothing more.
More and more clubs modernise or abandon the tradition out of respect for every player's sensibilities. Some replace it with other gestures (a kiss to the Saint-Boules statuette, a paid round of drinks, a burlesque gesture). The rules impose nothing — everyone does according to the customs of the place.
7.Regional variations of the ritual
The fanny takes different forms depending on the region:
- Provence and Côte d'Azur : classic painting on wood, symbolic kiss, sometimes a round of drinks offered.
- South-West : the pitchoune fanny tradition, more humorous, sometimes with dressing up.
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes : ceramic statuette, more discreet gesture, a round of drinks every time.
- Brittany and the North : often simplified version, a simple humorous forfeit without painting.
- National and international competitions : tradition often abandoned out of concern for cultural neutrality.
The fanny is folklore, not rules. If you take a fanny at your club, play along with a smile: it creates memories and bonds the group. If the tradition makes you uncomfortable, politely decline — no referee will hold it against you. The spirit of pétanque is above all shared enjoyment, not obligation.
To go further into the peculiarities of the rules, also read our article on edge cases of boules off the terrain and our feature little-known rules. Our free tools round out learning the rules.
Maintaining a club's friendly atmosphere also means being able to fund its community life. This guide shows how to find local sponsors, run profitable competitions and preserve the club's traditions (like the fanny) over time.
Discover the guide