This museum in Roubaix occupies a former Art Deco public swimming pool built in the 1930s, with the original pool basin, tiled changing cubicles and stained-glass windows preserved as the main exhibition hall. It holds textile and fashion collections tied to Roubaix's industrial past as a textile manufacturing center, alongside 19th- and 20th-century sculpture and ceramics. The building itself, not just the collection, is the reason to visit.
La Piscine — Musée d'Art et d'Industrie occupies a former Art Deco public swimming pool at 23 Rue de l'Espérance in Roubaix, a city in the Nord department of Hauts-de-France, France, close to Lille. Built in the 1930s, the pool was converted into a museum that keeps the original basin, tiled changing cubicles and stained-glass windows as the main exhibition hall. The building itself, as much as the collection, is the reason to visit, and it is one of the most distinctive museum spaces in the region.
The central pool basin is lined with sculptures on either side, with a shallow run of water down the middle, so visitors walk along what was once the swimming area. Along the sides, the former changing-cubicle doors now serve as small display niches for ceramics and glassware, and setting aside time to look at them rewards close attention. Light entering through the large stained-glass window at one end gives the hall a warm glow, and the sightlines down the basin are the most photographed view.
The collections reflect Roubaix's history as a textile manufacturing centre, with fashion and fabric displays tied to the city's industrial past, alongside 19th- and 20th-century sculpture, painting and ceramics. A visit takes two to three hours, covering the pool hall, the side galleries and any temporary exhibition.
Admission is around €12, with entry free for visitors under 18. The museum is open Tuesday to Thursday from 11:00 to 18:00, Friday from 11:00 to 20:00 and weekends from 13:00 to 18:00, and it is closed on Mondays. Friday evenings with late opening are generally the calmest period and give a pleasant atmosphere as light fades through the glass. Weekends and school holidays draw larger crowds, with the main hall busiest in the afternoon.
The museum is easy to reach by metro line M2 from Lille to Roubaix Grand Place, around 15 minutes, followed by a short walk. The nearby streets hold other reminders of the textile era, and cafés on the museum grounds make it simple to extend the visit with a coffee or meal.
| Admission | €12 / ~$13; under 18 free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tue–Thu 11:00–18:00, Fri 11:00–20:00, Sat–Sun 13:00–18:00, closed Mon |
| Typical visit | 2–3 hours |
| Best time | Friday evenings (late opening, fewer visitors) |
| Getting there | Metro M2 to Roubaix Grand Place (from Lille in 15 min) |
| Address | 23 Rue de l'Espérance, 59100 Roubaix |
Location
23 Rue de l'Espérance, 59100 Roubaix
50.6952, 3.1778 View on map
Highlights
- The central pool basin lined with sculptures and a shallow water channel
- Stained-glass window flooding the hall with light
- Former changing cubicles used as display niches
- Textile and fashion collections tied to Roubaix's industrial past
Tips for visiting
- Visit on Friday evenings, when the museum stays open until 20:00 and is quieter.
- Entry is free for visitors under 18; adults pay around €12.
- The museum is closed on Mondays.
- Look closely at the cubicle doors for small ceramic and glass displays.
- Metro M2 from Lille reaches Roubaix Grand Place in about 15 minutes.
When to visit
Friday evenings offer late opening and fewer visitors. Weekday afternoons are generally calmer than weekends.
Accessibility
The main hall and galleries are largely step-free, with lifts serving other floors. Visitors with specific mobility needs can enquire at the entrance.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend two to three hours exploring the pool hall and galleries.
Is it worth it for kids?
Children under 18 enter free, and the unusual pool setting often intrigues young visitors.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is usually allowed in the permanent collections without flash, though some temporary exhibitions may be restricted.
How do visitors get there from Lille?
Metro line M2 runs to Roubaix Grand Place in about 15 minutes, followed by a short walk.