Roubaix is a city in northern France, close to the Belgian border, and it carries the memory of its past as France's textile capital. Mills and workers' districts shaped its streets for generations, and today that industrial heritage is part of the city's identity rather than something left behind.
What to see
- La Piscine Museum, the city's best-known landmark, is housed in a striking Art Deco swimming pool. The building itself is reason enough to visit, and the museum's collections sit inside it.
- Industrial architecture and design appear across the city, where old textile buildings have been reworked with new ideas, reflecting how Roubaix has reinvented itself.
- The arts scene is active and varied, so the city rewards visitors who like to follow exhibitions and cultural events.
Getting a sense of the place
Roubaix suits a visitor interested in how an industrial city changes over time. Its museum, its architecture and its creative life give a clear picture of a place that has turned its working past into something new. Because the city sits so near Belgium, it also has an international feel, with a mix of influences that comes through in daily life.
Plan a day or two to take in the museum and wander the streets, and allow time to look at the buildings as well as the displays. A visit here is less about a checklist of sights and more about seeing a northern French city in transition.
