Why visit Roubaix?
Roubaix is a city in the Hauts-de-France region whose identity has been shaped by the textile industry. Its heritage is not limited to memories of factories: today, it is expressed in museums, schools, creative spaces, renovated buildings, and art installations visible in public spaces.
A former textile capital that has become a city of culture
Roubaix’s prosperity in the 19th and early 20th centuries left very visible traces: grand brick facades, mansions, former industrial sites, ambitious public facilities, and architecture eclectic. The city has launched a major initiative to showcase its heritage and is part of the “Cities and Regions of Art and History” network.
Textiles remain the central theme of a visit. At La Piscine, the fine arts collections engage in a dialogue with fashion, textiles, and the decorative arts. At La Manufacture, machinery and historical artifacts bring the social and technical history of this industry to life. In between, the streets of Roubaix tell the story of a city that has transformed its heritage into a cultural resource.
Don't miss : Bringing together La Piscine and La Manufacture offers a way to understand Roubaix through its works, its materials, and the women and men who brought its workshops and spinning mills to life.
Roubaix, an easy day trip from Lille
Visiting Roubaix from Lille is easy, especially by metro, tram, or train. The Roubaix train station is connected to Lille-Flandres by TER, while Metro Line 2 serves several stations that are convenient for reaching the city center, the Grand-Place, or Eurotéléport.
Roubaix isn't a substitute for Lille—it's a great complement to exploring the metropolitan area. While Lille charms visitors with its historic Flemish center, Roubaix offers a more industrial, artistic, and contemporary perspective on the region. So you can Extend your getaway with a visit to Lille before or after your day in Roubaix.
Must-See Attractions in Roubaix
For your first visit, focus on four key spots: La Piscine, La Manufacture, the Grand-Place, and the walking tours dedicated to industrial architecture or urban art.
| Location |
Why go there? |
Recommended time |
| The Swimming Pool |
Museum of Art and Industry in a former Art Deco swimming pool |
1 h 30 à 2 h |
| The Manufacture |
Understanding the history of textiles through machines in operation |
1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes |
| Grand-Place and Downtown |
Take a look at City Hall, the’church Saint-Martin and Its Historic Facades |
45 min to 1 h |
| Street Art Tour |
Discover murals, collages, and artworks in public spaces |
45 minutes to 2 hours |
| The Public Condition |
Explore a former factory that has been transformed into a cultural venue |
As scheduled |
La Piscine Museum: Roubaix’s must-see attraction
The La Piscine Museum, or André Diligent Museum of Art and Industry, is the top attraction to visit in Roubaix. It is housed in the former municipal swimming pool on Rue des Champs, built in the Art Deco style and opened in 1932. Closed as a swimming facility in 1985, the building reopened as a museum in 2001.
The pool, now transformed into a large, light-filled gallery, remains the highlight of the tour. The sculptures arranged around the water and the sun-shaped glass roof lend the tour a unique atmosphere. Be sure to take the time to explore the old cabins, where textile and fashion collections are on display.
La Piscine features paintings, sculptures, ceramics, furniture, glassware, drawings, decorative arts, and textile creations. Works by Vuillard, Bonnard, Dufy, Marquet, Rodin, Claudel, Bugatti, and Pompon offer a glimpse into the diversity of the collections.
Ideal for : First-time visitors to Roubaix, Art Deco enthusiasts, fashion and design lovers, and visitors looking for something to do when it rains.
Recommended visit duration: Plan on at least 1 hour and 30 minutes; two hours will give you plenty of time to enjoy the building at a leisurely pace.
Things to check before you leave: temporary exhibits, reservation policies, admission prices, and hours on the La Piscine's official website. The museum is closed on Mondays.
La Manufacture: Understanding Roubaix’s Textile History
At La Manufacture, visitors get a very hands-on experience of textiles. This museum of textile heritage and design is housed in a former weaving mill that specialized in upholstery fabrics. The working looms and machines add a lively, auditory dimension to the tour.
The exhibition traces the technical stages of manufacturing, the evolution of materials, working conditions, local economic history, and contemporary issues in the textile industry. It is the perfect complement to La Piscine: while the former museum showcases artworks and objects, La Manufacture explains the craftsmanship and industrial realities that have shaped Roubaix.
Guided tours of the engine room are offered at certain times, subject to availability. The museum is located at 29 Avenue Julien-Lagache.
Ideal for : families with curious children, industrial heritage enthusiasts, fashion lovers, and visitors who want to learn about local history.
Recommended visit duration: Plan on spending about an hour—or longer if you take a guided tour.
Things to check before you leave: Hours, annual closures, workshops, and demonstration times on the La Manufacture's official website.
Downtown and its industrial past
The city center offers a change of pace: after visiting the museums, take a moment to observe the city itself. The Grand-Place is a good place to start, especially since it’s right next to City Hall and Saint-Martin Church.
City Hall, which opened in 1911, reflects the ambition of this major industrial city in the early 20th century. Across from it, Saint-Martin Church, whose origins date back to the Middle Ages, marks the historic heart of the town.
Take a moment to look up as you walk through the surrounding streets: brick facades, old shops, apartment buildings, schools, and public facilities make up a landscape dense urban environment. Roubaix’s heritage is particularly interesting because it blends different eras: the historic center, the industrial boom, and more recent redevelopment projects can all be seen within the same area.
St. Martin’s Church and the Historic District
Saint-Martin Church is a brief but worthwhile stop for anyone seeking to understand the origins of Roubaix. Located across from City Hall, it serves as a reminder that the city existed long before the spectacular industrial development of the 19th century. Its location also makes it easy to reach the Grand-Place, the downtown shops, and the metro stations.
To make the walk even more interesting, be sure to check out City Hall, the Post Office, the views along Avenue Jean-Lebas, and the buildings that bear witness to the city’s textile industry boom.
Renovated factories to watch
Roubaix comes across less as a static open-air museum and more as a city in the midst of transformation. Several former industrial buildings have been repurposed for new uses: culture, archives, education, retail, workshops, and creative spaces.
La Condition Publique is one of the most striking examples. This former textile-processing factory has been transformed into a cultural hub hosting exhibitions, concerts, workshops, a fablab, and projects related to urban culture.
Don't try to visit every site in a single day. It's better to pick a few places and then let your stroll take you from one building facade to another, past painted walls and old industrial sites.
What can you do in Roubaix based on your interests?
Beyond its museums, Roubaix offers a variety of experiences depending on whether you’re traveling as a couple, with children, from Lille, or looking to go shopping.
Discover Murals and Urban Art in Roubaix
Urban art is an integral part of Roubaix’s landscape. Murals, collages, stencils, lettering, and graphic art can be found throughout the city center as well as in former industrial neighborhoods. The appeal lies not only in photographing an individual piece of art, but in observing the dialogue between contemporary creations and brick walls, redeveloped brownfields, or everyday building facades.
The walking tour around La Piscine is a good place to start. It connects the train station, Avenue Jean-Lebas, the Colisée, and the area around the museum. The artworks change regularly, especially during events dedicated to urban culture: check out the Roubaix Tourism Street Art Map before departure to choose an up-to-date route.
For a different kind of experience, the train station parking lot is hosting Dép’Art Urbain, a vertical art trail featuring numerous works of art that leads to a viewpoint overlooking the city. Access conditions may vary: check before you go.
Hiking Tip: Start at the Jean-Lebas train station, head to La Piscine, and continue on to the Colisée and the surrounding streets. Keep your eyes peeled: in Roubaix, some artworks are subtle or located in unexpected places.
Shopping at L’Usine and McArthurGlen
Shopping is one of the well-known activities in Roubaix, but it’s best viewed as something to do at the end of the day rather than as the sole reason for visiting.
The Usine Roubaix, located on Avenue Alfred-Motte, brings together brand-name stores in a former industrial setting. McArthurGlen Roubaix is located on Mail de Lannoy, near downtown. Both locations offer convenient options for combining culture and shopping in a single day.
Ideal for : Visitors who want to combine culture with shopping, or who want to plan a low-effort activity in case the weather is uncertain.
Things to check before you leave: the stores present, Sunday hours, special operating hours, and crowd levels, particularly during sales and school breaks.
Find a cultural outing
If you’re planning to go out in Roubaix, check the calendar of events before making your plans for the day. La Condition Publique regularly hosts concerts, exhibitions, talks, and workshops. The Colisée, meanwhile, offers a program of live performances that combines theater, dance, comedy, music, and circus acts.
The temporary exhibitions at La Piscine and La Manufacture can also affect how interesting a visit is on a given date. If you plan to stay in the evening, Friday is often a good choice: La Piscine offers free late-night admission in the early evening, subject to changes in its schedule.
Visiting Roubaix with the Family
Roubaix is a great place to visit with the family if you mix up the types of attractions. La Piscine draws children in with the architecture of the old pool, the sculptures, and the sensory trail. La Manufacture rounds out the experience with the sound of the machines, demonstrations, and—depending on the schedule—textile workshops.
To keep a comfortable pace:
- Start with just one large museum; ;
- Plan to take a break downtown; ;
- Include a short scavenger hunt for the murals rather than a long tour; ;
- Check the Roubaix Tourisme calendar for workshops, tours, and events for young people available during your stay.
Roubaix by Bike or on Foot
Roubaix is perfect for urban exploration, especially if you enjoy architecture and photography. Cycling makes it easier to get between the city center, the industrial areas, and more distant cultural venues like La Manufacture or La Condition Publique.
There are V’Lille stations throughout the city. The itineraries may vary depending on roadwork and traffic conditions: use a cycling navigation app on the day of your visit and adjust the route to suit your skill level.
Itinerary: A One-Day Tour of Roubaix
Here's a realistic itinerary for visiting Roubaix in one day, without making too many unnecessary trips.
Morning: The Pool and Downtown
Start with La Piscine as soon as it opens. The tour usually takes between 1 hour and 30 minutes and 2 hours, especially if you want to explore the textile collections, the sculptures in the pool, and the temporary exhibitions.
When you exit, walk to the Grand-Place. Take a look at City Hall, Saint-Martin Church, and the building facades in the center. This is a good time to take a short stroll down Jean-Lebas Avenue or look for some early examples of street art.
Noon: Lunch break in the city center
To keep your itinerary on track, have lunch downtown or near La Piscine. The museum’s restaurant and tea room is an option if its hours align with your visit; check the current schedule before heading there.
Avoid planning a lunch that takes too long: La Manufacture usually opens in the afternoon, which fits in well with the rhythm of the day.
Afternoon: La Manufacture and Urban Art
Join La Manufacture for the afternoon tour. You can reach the area by public transportation from downtown or Eurotéléport; be sure to check your route on the day of the tour.
After the tour, there are two options:
- Heritage Edition: Take a look at the former industrial areas and the renovated buildings along your route; ;
- urban art version: Head back toward the center to walk part of the route around La Piscine or go to Dép’Art Urbain near the train station.
End of the day: shopping, going out, or heading back to Lille
Finally, choose whatever you like:
- a stop at McArthurGlen Roubaix or L’Usine; ;
- a visit to La Condition Publique if it is open or hosting an event; ;
- an evening at the Colosseum; ;
- a return to Lille to continue the weekend.
Case in point: La Piscine at 11 a.m., a stroll through the Grand-Place and along Avenue Jean-Lebas around 1 p.m., lunch, La Manufacture at 2:30 p.m. or 4 p.m. depending on the guided tours, then a tour of the murals in the city center before returning to Lille in the early evening.
Neighborhoods and Places to Explore in Roubaix
Downtown: monuments and museums
Downtown is the easiest area to explore on a first visit. It brings together the Grand-Place, City Hall, Saint-Martin Church, shops, the Jean-Lebas train station, and La Piscine, all within a reasonable walking distance.
It’s also a convenient area if you’re coming by subway: the Roubaix Grand-Place, Gare Jean-Lebas, and Eurotéléport stations make it easy to get around.
Euroteleport: A Convenient Starting Point
Eurotéléport is a convenient transportation hub for getting to La Manufacture, La Condition Publique, or the outlet malls. It’s not necessarily the most picturesque part of the tour, but it helps you avoid detours between Roubaix’s various attractions.
The Former Industrial Districts
The Pile neighborhood and the area surrounding La Manufacture invite visitors to take a fresh look at industrial architecture. La Condition Publique, located in the Pile neighborhood, is a good example of the cultural repurposing of a site with ties to the textile industry.
Here, the appeal lies not only in the monuments but also in the architecture, the streets, the materials, the courtyards, and the contemporary uses that carry on the industrial history.
The area around the Roubaix Canal
The Roubaix Canal can be a pleasant detour for visitors on bikes or those who have a little more time. It is part of a network of waterways and greenways throughout the metropolitan area. For a day focused on the must-see attractions, consider it a complementary option rather than a priority.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Visit to Roubaix
How do I get to Roubaix from Lille?
From Lille, there are several options:
- by train: The Roubaix train station is connected to Lille-Flandres by TER; ;
- By subway: Line 2 connects Lille and Roubaix; ;
- By tram: The tram serves, among other areas, the Eurotéléport district; ;
- By car: useful for getting directly to La Manufacture, L’Usine, or McArthurGlen, but less convenient for a visit focused on the city center; ;
- by bike: A good option for exploring the area more extensively, provided you plan a suitable itinerary.
Schedules, routes, service disruptions, and construction updates are subject to change: check the Ilévia site or check the SNCF information before your departure.
How much time should I plan to spend in Roubaix?
One day is enough to see Roubaix’s main must-see attractions: La Piscine, downtown, La Manufacture, and a short urban art tour.
You might want to plan for a weekend if you want to:
- take the time to visit several museums; ;
- attend a show or a concert; ;
- add shopping; ;
- explore the neighborhoods by bike; ;
- combine Roubaix, Lille, Tourcoing, Croix, or Villeneuve-d’Ascq.
When is the best time to visit Roubaix?
Roubaix is a great place to visit year-round, since most of its major attractions are cultural and indoors. Fall and winter are therefore ideal for visiting museums, seeing exhibitions, and going out.
In the spring and summer, architectural walking tours, urban art, and outdoor dining areas take up a larger part of the program. Weekends can be livelier, but shopping areas and major cultural venues may also be more crowded.
Preparing for Visits
Before you leave, always make sure to:
- days when museums are closed; ;
- the exact schedules, especially on weekends; ;
- temporary exhibitions; ;
- any necessary reservations; ;
- rates and free services; ;
- guided tour time slots; ;
- the schedule for the Condition Publique and the Colisée; ;
- traffic conditions for metropolitan transit.
The hours of operation for La Piscine and La Manufacture, as well as their cultural programs, may vary depending on the season or special events. Checking the schedule the day before your visit will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises.
What's there to see around Roubaix?
Continue exploring Lille
Lille is the most obvious next stop after a visit to Roubaix. After exploring Roubaix’s museums and industrial heritage, the capital of Flanders offers a different atmosphere, from Old Lille and the Grand-Place to its museums and cultural scene. Check out our tips for Visit Lille and its museums.
You might also consider a trip to Villa Cavrois in Croix, Le Fresnoy in Tourcoing, or LaM in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, depending on your interests and how much time you have.
Explore other outings in the North
Roubaix is a great starting point for exploring the Nord department. To enjoy a variety of landscapes and experiences, you can Discover other tourist attractions in the Nord department, featuring charming towns, mining heritage, museums, the coastline, and nature getaways.
To plan a longer trip, be sure to check out our guide to Plan a trip to the Hauts-de-France region.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Roubaix
What to do in Roubaix?
The best things to do in Roubaix include visiting La Piscine, La Manufacture, the Grand-Place, and the urban art trails. Depending on what you’re in the mood for, you can also check out La Condition Publique, catch a show, or go shopping at L’Usine Roubaix or McArthurGlen.
What to see in Roubaix in one day?
If you only have one day, start with La Piscine in the morning, head to downtown at noon, and then visit La Manufacture in the afternoon. Finish off with a street art tour, a stop at an outlet mall, or a trip back to Lille.
What is the must-see museum in Roubaix?
The must-see museum is La Piscine, the André Diligent Museum of Art and Industry. Its setting in a former Art Deco swimming pool, its pool transformed into a sculpture gallery, and its collections of fine art, textiles, and fashion make it the city’s premier cultural destination.
Is it easy to visit Roubaix from Lille?
Yes, Roubaix is easy to reach from Lille via the TER, the metro, and the tram. However, be sure to check routes, schedules, and any construction on the transit systems before you leave.
How long does it take to visit Roubaix?
One day is enough to see the must-see sights in Roubaix. A weekend gives you time to add a cultural outing, more street art, the outlet malls, and a visit to Lille or nearby towns.
Where can you go shopping in Roubaix?
The two main locations are L’Usine Roubaix on Avenue Alfred-Motte and McArthurGlen Roubaix on Mail de Lannoy. Check the list of stores, hours, and peak times before your visit.
Conclusion
Roubaix is worth a visit for its unique take on industrial history and contemporary art. From La Piscine and La Manufacture to the Grand-Place, the renovated former factories, and the urban murals, the city offers a rich array of sights without requiring long trips.
What should you do first in Roubaix? Take the time to explore the connection between the museums and the streets and buildings around them: that’s the best way to discover Roubaix’s textile, artistic, and deeply urban identity.
