Bocce (pronounced bot-chee) as the Italians call it, or boules the French equivalent, is one of the worlds oldest games. It resembles lawn bowls, although, it may have its origins in a game played at the time of the Pharaohs. 

The Sport of Boule was recorded to be in existence since 9000 years B.C. when a set of stone balls and jack was found in Turkey. A set of balls was also found in an Egyptian tomb 7000 years B.C. The sport was played by the Romans and Greeks in ancient times. It was said that the Romans were the first people to bring Boule to Marseilles some 2600 years ago. In the Middle Ages, the sport was so popular that it was banned. In the 17th century, the French aristocrats began to make this sport as their own and King Louis XIV set the rules to play the game to 14 points. Soldiers in the Napoleon's army used cannon balls to play during the war. In 1588, Sir Francis Drake was said to have insisted on finishing his game of boules before he set out to defeat the Spanish.

Bocce is a major sport in both Italy and France.