Types of flagpoles in France: single, arm, façade

In France, a flag can fly on a free-standing pole set in the ground, on a roof pole, on a façade staff or on a mobile pole. According to a 2023 National Assembly report, the flags of public buildings are either fixed to the façade or raised on poles on the roof or right next to the building. This guide presents the common types of pole and how they are used.

The single pole

According to the flag maker Doublet, the single pole is the most common type of flagpole. The flag is raised with a halyard and flies freely, held at both ends. It comes in two versions:

• Standard: the halyard is reachable from outside and fastened to a cleat.
• Anti-theft: the halyard runs inside the pole and can only be reached through a lockable hatch. According to Doublet, this version protects the flag against theft and damage and avoids the noise of the halyard slapping against the pole in strong wind. It is found in public spaces and on long-term installations.

It is the pole of war memorials, prefectures, gardens and many businesses.

Poles with one or two arms

A pole with an arm carries a vertical banner hung from a horizontal arm at the top. At the bottom, a counterweight lets the fabric fly while keeping it in place; according to Doublet, the counterweight also acts as an anti-theft device. A pole with two arms holds the fabric taut at the top and bottom, so the design stays readable even with no wind at all. These poles are mainly used for the logos and messages of businesses, shops and local authorities.

The façade staff

On town halls, schools and many houses, the flag is fixed to a short staff that slides into a bracket or behind a façade shield. The staff slants forward. According to Doublet, the staffs of public buildings are often covered in blue, with a gilt point. The flag is stapled or nailed to the staff and cannot be lowered; for half-mast, a black ribbon is then tied to the top. More on this is in the guide to half-mast.

Mobile and telescopic poles

• Telescopic pole: several nested sections that extend; common in gardens, campsites and among motorhome owners.
• Event pole: a light pole, often steel, on a weighted mobile base, for trade fairs, races and temporary ceremonies.
• Beach flag and feather flag: a flexible fibre pole carrying an advertising sail.

Shape: cylindrical or tapered

According to Doublet, a pole can be cylindrical, straight from top to bottom, or tapered, narrowing towards the top. The tapered shape resists wind better because it reduces the exposed surface; it is common on fibreglass and aluminium poles. The guide to flagpole materials compares steel, aluminium and fibreglass.

The flagpole and planning

A free-standing pole is generally treated as a new structure under the Planning Code. Under article R. 421-2, a structure up to 12 metres high, with a footprint and floor area of no more than 5 m², is exempt from any formality outside protected areas. A bracket fixed to a façade can, for its part, change the external appearance of the building. More on this is in the guide to flagpole installation.