Chantiers

Chantiers is the plural form of the French noun chantier, meaning a place where work is carried out on a project. In common usage, it designates a construction site or work site for civil engineering, infrastructure, and industrial projects. The term is used in French language reporting and planning to denote ongoing work with a defined scope, schedule, and budget, frequently accompanied by tasks such as excavation, foundation work, and assembly.

In maritime contexts, the word also denotes shipyards. The most prominent example is Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, a major European shipyard known for building ocean liners, ferries, and cruise ships, including the Queen Mary 2. Shipyard facilities labeled as chantiers typically combine docks, drydocks, fabrication halls, and heavy industry and involve collaborations among engineering firms, suppliers, and skilled trades.

Uses beyond shipyards are common as well. In urban planning and public works, the term is used for large-scale projects such as road, rail, or redevelopment schemes. Media coverage often frames them as chantiers en cours, emphasizing the temporary nature of the work and the ongoing transformation of a place.