End Main Navigation
Home Navigator
Neuchâtel skittles
Description
Neuchâtel skittles, a forerunner of ten-pin bowling, is a game where players try to knock down nine bowling pins with a wooden ball. What makes the Neuchâtel version unique is that the bowling alley consists of two planks of wood that are joined together to form an upturned V-shape. A pinsetter ensures that the skittles are placed in their correct position. One point is given for each overturned skittle, however the throw does not count if the player fails to knock over the front skittle. The heyday of this convivial game was the late 19th and early 20th century; by the 1960s its popularity had waned considerably. Outdoor bowling alleys were set up next to métairies – country inns that were adjacent to dairy farms, and synonymous with the Neuchâtel Jura. Over time, these went to seed as open-air bowling fell out of favour. In contrast, indoor bowling alleys, many of which date back to the 1930s are still used and maintained by the four local skittles clubs. Players practice every week and compete against one another in various tournaments, such as the “Course Suisse”, the “Challenge de l’Impartial”, the “Championnat de l’Intercantonale”, and the very special “Challenge du 60e “, which is played at clearly defined intervals over a 10-year period. The winner is the club which has recorded the most victories during the 10 years. Calling all amateur players: the Neuchâtel skittle clubs would be delighted to welcome new members to their teams.
Image gallery
Video
2009 Swiss Skittles Championship, "jeu des Tunnels", la Chaux-de-Fonds (Canal Alpha + : “Clin d'oeil” broadcast on 11 May 2009) © Canal Alpha +, 2009
Game of skittles, Les Parcs, 17 September 1931 (clip from “Excursions du comité de direction du Plan-de-L’Eau, 1928-1942”, amateur film by A. Berner © A. Berner/Département audiovisuel de la Bibliothèque de la Ville de La Chaux-de-Fonds, 1984
References and documentation
- Publications
Pierre Boulanger : Un Dimanche à la montagne (film amateur), Département audiovisuel de la Bibliothèque de la Ville de La Chaux-de-Fonds
Canal Alpha + : Coupe suisse 2009 de jeu de quilles, jeu des Tunnels à la Chaux-de-Fonds. In : Journal du 12 mai 2009
Sur la piste d’une nouvelle tradition. In : L’Express/L’Impartial, 23 juillet 2011
- Documentation
- Jeu de quilles neuchâtelois
description détaillée Last modification: 04.06.2018
Size: 276 kb
Type: PDF
- Jeu de quilles neuchâtelois