Pétanque has been known since around 1907. It evolved from a similar game, called jeu provençal (ˊProvencąl gameˊ). The name is a derivate of the words ped tanco (Fr. pieds tanqués: ˊfeet togetherˊ), because while performing a throw, both feet of the player must be inside a small circle, previously demarcated on the field.

Pétanque, similarly to bowls and boccie (boccia), originates from a ball game, played by Roman legionnaires. It was made popular by them in the entire area around the Mediterranean Sea.

First boules (Fr. boule – ball) were made of wood and had nails hit into them. In 1930, it was definitely decided that steel boules should be used. In 1958, in Marseille, the International Federation of Pétanque and Provencąl Game was set up.

The Polish organization, the Polish Federation of Pétanque, was set up in 2002. Its hedaquarters are in Wrocław.