A 68-year-old British man has died after being struck by a metal boule during a game of pétanque in the south of France, local authorities have confirmed. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in the village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a popular destination for British holidaymakers. The victim, whose name has not yet been released, was playing with friends when a stray boule struck him in the chest.
Despite the swift arrival of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene. French police have opened an inquiry into the accident, which has sent shockwaves through the local expat community. The Foreign Office said it is providing consular support to the man's family.
Pétanque, a variant of boules, is a beloved pastime in France and widely played by tourists. Fatalities from the game are extremely rare, with this incident being the first recorded death in the region in over a decade.
