Every summer, the friendly and dynamic Nissa Pilo team organizes introductions to Pilou. Adults who want to both improve their fitness and learn more about Niçoise culture are welcome.
A Niçoise picnic prepared by each participant follows the training on the beach; a unique opportunity to meet authentic locals, passionate about sharing their perspective on their city.
Pilou was a very popular sport from Nice to Menton in the fifties to seventies. Hitchcock immortalized it in his film To Catch a Thief. In recent years, it has been experiencing renewed success among young people. It is played in neighborhoods and university parks.
Coaraze, a charming village in the hinterland, organized the “25th World Championships,” which generated immense interest.
In winter, a championship: the Pilo League is held every Sunday at the Mont-Boron piloudrome.
To start, a holed coin and a piece of plastic bag compose a shuttlecock, called “Pilou” (Pilo in Niçoise). It is juggled with the feet, head, and body. Hands are strictly prohibited except when serving. The goal is to make the pilou fall into the opponent’s area within a circle drawn on the ground!
Many visitors and locals learn each year to make the famous little coin twirl.
The “classes” are under the direction of André Giordan, known as the “great strategist,” and Ninou Bernardi, “golden foot,” former world champions, surrounded by a team of skilled educators: José Maria, René Bodenès, Christian Delobette, Emmanuel Nicolaïs, Jean Paul Robbi, and Elie Gallo.
