Jeu Provencal
The game, Jeu Provencal, is very similar to Petanque. In fact, most of the rules are exactly the same with a few notable differences. Also, the boules used in Petanque can be used in Jeu Provencal - so you can get double duty from your Petanque boules if you would also like to try Jeu Provencal.
The basic differences in the rules between Jeu Provencal have to do with the distances of the target ball (bouchon, or jack) and the way in which boules are thrown. The following are the rules that are different than Petanque.
The bouchon must be between 14 and 20 meters. It is out of bounds if it has been moved to over 40 meters.
A pointer may step with one foot out of the throwing circle so long as either one foot remains in the circle, or the trailing foot does not touch the ground until afte the boule is thrown.
A pointed boule can not move an opposing boule more than 1.5 meters.
A shooter may take 3 steps out of the circle before releasing his boule - it must be released before the 4th step lands.
A thrower has 1.5 minutes to make his throw.
All other rules are pretty much the same as with Petanque.
Playing Jeu Provencal in the US
At the time of this writing I have only had rumors of people playing Jeu Provencal in the US - I would expect that someone in New York plays, I have heard of someone playing in the San Francisco Bay Area, and once saw a player practicing at the LAPC terrain during the lunch break of a Petanque tournament (whether he was a visitor or a resident I do not know). There is no reason - other than the limitations of space - that Petanque players could not adopt Jeu Provencal and play it on a regular basis. It might well appeal to those looking for a more athletic sport than Petanque.