La Bastide-Clairence, one of France's most beautiful villages, boasts the oldest Jeu de Paume in the world.
Only four communes in France - Paris, Fontainebleau and Bordeaux-Mérignac, or even Pau one day a week - can boast a Jeu de Paume, for some the ancestor of the Basque Pelota.
In fact, it wasn't until the mid-19th century that Pelote became distinct from Jeu de Paume.
Before that, Jeu de Paume was played all over France.
The Bastide-Clairence court dates back to 1513, and has just been reborn under the impetus of the Municipality, which exercised its right of pre-emption to prevent it being turned into housing by real estate professionals.
Today, it is of real historical interest, as almost all the trinquets currently in use have never hosted a Jeu de Paume and were built for the Pelote Basque, whereas this one is a Jeu de Paume converted into a trinquet.
The trinquet at La Bastide Clairence is unusual in that it has undergone very few changes since it was built. The stone slabs on either side of the hall are probably original, and the proportions have remained unchanged.
Today, you can play Basque pelota (mainly barehand and pala-ancha) and jeu de paume.
Trinquet
Rue Notre-Dame
64240 La Bastide-Clairence
www.labastideclairence.com
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