Usa

The Pique-Nique

The French pique-nique is an all-afternoon riverside ceremony built from a baguette, some saucisson, and a good knife; the American picnic is a potluck with a sign-up sheet and a canopy. Both end up on the grass — they just disagree about nearly everything else.

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The US Open of Pétanque

In Manhattan's parks, La Boule New Yorkaise has turned a French village pastime into a New York institution — and with the US Open of Pétanque coming to town on October 10–11, the season is heading for its loudest weekend yet.

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The Abyss Is Not for Sale

Washington has ordered a fast track for deep-sea mining in international waters. Paris calls it a violation of international law — and France's ambassador for the oceans has an answer: the abyss is not for sale.

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The Road to Thailand

An American men's triples team just did what no American team had ever done — winning both the Panamerican World Qualifier and the Panamerican Open. In November, they carry the Stars and Stripes to the World Pétanque Championships in Thailand.

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The Sunday Market

France treats the Sunday market as a secular liturgy of pleasure; America treats the farmers market as a virtuous community project. Both leave with heavy bags — they just disagree about what the point was.

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The Café and the Commute

France treats coffee as a place to sit. America treats it as fuel for the road. Both are right — and both are missing something.

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The Hundred-Percent Tir

Washington is threatening 100% tariffs on French wine and champagne to force Paris to drop its tax on American tech giants — the biggest tir in a trade mène that has been running since 2019.