poteaux

Poteaux is the plural of poteau in French, meaning posts or stakes. In a general sense, poteaux are vertical structural elements that transfer loads to the ground and serve as supports, boundaries, or mounting points. They are used in a range of contexts from traditional architecture to fencing, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Historically, poteaux have been made from timber and used in timber-frame and post-and-beam constructions. In traditional French rural architecture, vertical poteaux form the skeleton of certain houses, supporting floors and roof beams. Today, poteaux can also be made of metal or reinforced concrete, especially in modern fencing, street furniture, and utility installations. Wooden poteaux are commonly treated to resist rot and pests and are typically set in footings or foundations to ensure stability.

Uses span several domains. In construction and fencing, poteaux support walls, gates, fences, and barriers. In agriculture and horticulture, they function as stakes for training vines, fruit trees, or row crops, and as supports for various plant structures. In infrastructure, large poteaux serve as foundation or utility poles for wires, cables, signs, and lighting. In sports and public spaces, goalposts can be referred to as poteaux, particularly in contexts describing the posts that mark scoring opportunities.

The term poteau is broad, with several specialized forms in specific applications, such as retaining posts for earth works or corner posts in fencing. The concept of poteaux remains widely used across French-speaking regions in both traditional construction and contemporary applications.