Top Avignon Classes & Workshops

We had a fantastic time! The hosts were absolutely delightful. The lesson was well-organized, with lots of pointers and encouragement, followed by a friendly (and hilarious) tournament, with the hosts coaching and reffing. We met a couple (from England) who goes back every single year for this — wish we could do that! The place is way out in the boonies, but Google Maps got us there with no problem whatsoever. Highly recommend!

The pétanque facility was newly constructed and well laid out, with both a playing area & a bar where drinks & snacks were provided. The tour operator was very hospitable, friendly & knowledgeable. It was a great experience!

The two of them gave us a great, very entertaining evening: Boule course, delicious and above all homemade drinks, snacks and good mood. We would book it again immediately.

We had a blast at this lesson. The leader is funny, helpful and encouraging in learning pétanqueWe all met at a park and were greeted and made to feel welcome and at ease regardless of our experience.The lesson was punctuated by sips of rose or pastis and snacks of their homemade tapenade and pate and mushrooms.One of highlights of our trip to Provence. Highly recommend!

We attended the Pétanque Lesson in Provence event by Les Pastras in August 2023. What a wonderful experience! Johann and his team provided us with a fun afternoon learning about the history of pétanque and tips for playing while enjoying Provençal snacks, wine and home made pastis. We would highly recommend this event!

Petanque was amazing. You haven't experienced Provence until you've been taught Petanque experience with Johann and Jean-Marc. Not to mention Jean-Marc's wild boar paté, marinated mushrooms, tapenade, home-made, wine, and pastis. We'll be back.

Absolute fun! Wonderful refreshment and local gourmet snacks and beverages. Kind and entertains hosts and a hint of competitive strategy. Perfect!

What an absolutely wonderful night! We 4 learned the rules of petanque, practiced a few rounds and then, with the expert guidance of Johann and Jean-Marc, played a match! The playing got better and better as we sipped wine, snacked on homemade pate, tapenade and marinated mushrooms and finished with a healthy serving of pastis—everything local fromJean-Marc’s farm. Can’t say enough about our friendly easy-going hosts. The experience was wonderfully authentic and just perfect for a summer evening. Don’t miss this!

Johann and Jean-Marc gave us such a fun afternoon! My husband and I learned how to play pétanque, laughed, ate great appetizers and tasted pastis and other unique wines. Highly recommended!

Our group consisted of Johann (the host), Jean-Marc (a very skilled local player) and his delightful children (prodigies in the making).There was plenty of free parking near the site, and we were very warmly welcomed. Johann was an informative and entertaining host/translator, Jean-Marc showed us some impressive skills, and the children were impeccably behaved. The group are clearly very close-knit, and we felt very included. We picked up the game really quickly, and even managed a rare victory over Jean-Marc!During breaks, everyone snacked from a picnic hamper of food and drink including bread, home-made tapenades / pastis, mint syrup, waterAlthough we were initially a little sceptical about the price when we were booking, the food, drink and fun experience made it well worth the money.

I lead trips to Provence. My clients love this outing. It brings out the competitor in all of us. Jumping, yelling, laughing, and getting in touch with the earth, the people, and what really defines France. Great Experience. Don't even doubt it! Just do it.

It does not matter if you have never heard of pétanque. Athletic ability is (largely) irrelevant, This is Provence at its warm and easy-going best. The two gentlemen ( I should have said “the two guys”) who introduce you to Pétanque are the best of fun-loving friends,and they welcome you into their friendship with a Provençal joie-de-vivre that is contagious and happily inclusive. But they also know their game, and will amaze you with skill, and an abundance of funny stories. Be prepared for three hours of laughter, gentle instruction, and some of the world’s best homemade wild boar pate, green olive tapenade, pickled mushrooms, and house-made wine. It will be a treasured memory.

We have spent an unforgettable evening with Johann and Jean-Marc at Les Pastras. First Johann explained all interesting facts about truffles. Then we went truffle hunting with two adorable dogs. Johann served us different simple very delicious dishes with fresh truffles. It was really lovely and great experience, very recommendable.

This is one of the most fun days you can have learning the art of Petanque. Brilliant teaching by Johann and Jean-Marc followed by delicious nibbles with wine. Two things to remember make sure Jean-Marc is on your side (he is an excellent player) and secondly go easy on the Pastis i was singing by 10am !

We had a ball learning pétanque, followed by a tournament, with les Pastras. We were a big group of trash-talking friends, including 3 kids, and we had never played pétanque before. Setting in Lourmarin was perfect and hosts were great. Yummy munchies and lots of rose vin. Highly recommend.

As a travel planner I'm always looking to steer my clients to the best activities in Provence and I know that anything organized by Lisa and Johann is going to be fun! I played petanque with them in fall 2019 and have also sent my clients to play. This is a great way to learn this classic Provencal game, while sipping a cool rosé or Pastis in the shade, with Provencal nibbles and lots of laughs. So get your group together and get out there! This is a terrific experience for all ages, in a very beautiful village!