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All the United Kingdom England Leeds 'The Boules Player'
AO Edited

'The Boules Player'

This sculpture celebrates a boules tournament and the link between Leeds and its twin city Lille.

Leeds, England

Added By
Jim F
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‘The Boules Player’   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
‘The Boules Player’   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
‘The Boules Player’   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
Pétanque court   Global Sightseer / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
‘The Boules Player’   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
‘The Boules Player’   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
‘The Boules Player’   Jim F / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
Pétanque basic rules   Global Sightseer / Atlas Obscura User
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About

As the world moved past the millennium, sculptor Roger Burnett created a work of art to mark the annual Northern Pétanque Colliers CRE Cup. The sculpture was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Leed’s twin city Lille.

The bronze sculpture itself showcases a flat-capped, French boules player in the midst of a throw, while a family of three overlooks the game.

It appears that the sculpture was a difficult assignment for Burnett, especially when it came to designing the family as he noted in his diary, 

“I've moved them through every position imaginable: standing, sitting, leaning, squatting, huddled together, set apart. I've added figures and switched males for females. My couple - for that's what I finished up with - then gave birth to a child."

Next to the statues is a full-sized pétanque (boules) court. There is an information board providing the basic rules of pétanque. 

Related Tags

Sculptures Art Games

Know Before You Go

The sculpture can be found in an enclosed square, so it's best to park in one of the car parks and proceed on foot. 

Community Contributors

Added By

Jim F

Edited By

Global Sightseer, SEANETTA, rbenn250, esanderson42

  • Global Sightseer
  • SEANETTA
  • rbenn250
  • esanderson42

Published

May 20, 2021

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'The Boules Player'
2 Bond St
Leeds, England, LS1 2JZ
United Kingdom
53.797566, -1.547942
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