A LOAD OF BALLS

Le Musée National Des Jeux De Paume is unique. It's a museum for all ball games traditionally played in Belgium. It does however focus on the no longer played game of Balle Pelote, a Wallonie speciality, also played in parts of France. The game used to be a regular event at fêtes, fairs and feast days usually in the Grand Place which most towns have. The balls were made of many materials usually covered in sewn animal skin. They varied enormously in size and weight as illustrated in the cabinet below.

A few of the balls for Balle Pelote.

The game took place on a ground called a ballodrome which was approximately 72 X 19 metres with five players on each team. It's a game of gaining ground hence gaining points. The rules seem very confusing to the uninitiated. Mind you that applies to most games you have never come across. It involves volleying the ball into the midst of the opposition with a gloved hand. One thing we thought was fascinating is that it is the precursor for that well known game of Tennis. In fact tennis gets its strange scoring from Balle Pelote, i.e.15 30 40 game, with no advantage point.

Banner of the 'famous' Ladeuze team.

The museum was literally stuffed with all manner of memorabilia, outfits, balls, racquets, posters, books, trophies, ball construction systems. It even had its own bar, a replica of a small bar in Ath where the players would drink after a game. The bar stocked a specially made beer, well it is Belgium, called Gant d'Or. The label illustrating a golden glove and a Balle Pelote ball. The staff running this free museum based in the attic of the Hôtel de Ville were some of the most enthusiastic staff we have ever come across. Good for them.

Homage à la Balle Pelote.