Beursault Archery

Beursault Archery: The Most Historic Archery Discipline in France

Beursault archery (French: Tir Beursault) is the oldest archery discipline still actively practiced in France. Deeply rooted in the traditions of medieval archers‘ guilds, it combines athletic precision with historical ceremony. Those who practice this discipline do not simply shoot at targets; they step into a piece of living history.

The Facility: The „Jeu d’Arc“

Shooting takes place in a purpose-built, enclosed facility called the Jeu d’Arc („archery game“) or Allée des Chevaliers („Knights‘ Lane“). It consists of a narrow corridor with two covered earthen mounds (the Buttes) facing each other at a distance of exactly 50 meters. The shooting lane is flanked by wooden safety walls (Gardes), which provide both safety and protection from the wind.

The Procedure: One Arrow at a Time

Unlike modern disciplines, participants in Beursault archery do not shoot multiple arrows in a row from the same position.

• The Ends: A full round consists of a total of 40 ends (historically called haltes). During each end, only a single arrow is shot at the opposite target.
• The Rotation: Once all archers in a group (Peloton) have shot their single arrow, they walk together through the protected lane to the opposite side, score their hits, and then shoot their next arrow back in the other direction. This constant back-and-forth requires high mental stamina and continuous adaptation to changing light and wind conditions.

Scoring: Hits Over Points

The scoring system in Beursault is unique, primarily rewarding the consistency of hitting the target at all:

1. Honneurs (Hits): The primary metric is the number of Honneurs—arrows that land within the scoring zone of the target face (the Carte). The archer with the most hits wins, regardless of the specific ring values.
2. Points: Only in the event of a tie in total hits do the actual ring values (ranging from 1 to 4 points) determine the winner. A hit in the innermost circle is known as a Noir (black).

Tradition and Etiquette

Beursault archery is deeply shaped by traditional values. Before the very first arrow is released, archers traditionally greet each other with the formal salute: “Mesdames, Messieurs, je vous salue” (Ladies and gentlemen, I salute you). Courtesy, calm, and mutual respect are paramount within the Jeu d’Arc.

Traditionally, in Beursault archery, archers shoot exactly one arrow per round (historically also called a “halte”).

After every archer in the group (peloton) has shot their single arrow, everyone walks together to the opposite target to record the hits. From there, the next pass is shot in the opposite direction, again with just one arrow. In total, a competition consists of 40 such passes (i.e., a total of 40 shots).

I would like to thank Thierry Defrance, Patrice Issartel from the FFTA, and my good friend Raphaël Rambur for their help and input.