What to do in Roubaix: The B&B HOTELS guide

Are you planning a stay in the Lille metropolis and looking for things to do in Roubaix? A flagship of the French textile industry at the beginning of the 20th century, this city of Nord-Pas-de-Calais proudly bears its nickname of "city with a thousand chimneys". Transformed into museums, artists' studios or third places, the city's former factories are open to residents and passing tourists.

On foot or by Vlille (the local vélib), discover the main tourist places of Roubaix!

The manufacture

This museum, installed in an old upholstery fabric factory, highlights the textile know-how of Nord-Pas-de-Calais. You can see period machines, some of which are operated by the guides during the visit. You will learn the stages of manufacturing a piece of fabric and the evolution of weaving, from the Middle Ages to today. If you prefer to visit independently, choose the video guided tour on mobile or tablet. It offers different sequences to watch throughout your discovery of the places: 

• archive images;
• technical explanations;
• historical reminders.

Temporary exhibitions are regularly devoted to textiles around the world and eras.

The Piscine Museum

Image

The Roubaix museum is simply a must if you are visiting the Lille metropolis. Housed in a completely renovated old art deco swimming pool, it exhibits magnificent collections to the public. The old Olympic pool, the shower cubicles and the athletes' old restaurant have been preserved and now house sculptures, drawings and scenographies. 

Thanks to an extension carried out at the beginning of the 20th century, you can now visit a life-size reconstruction of the sculptor Henri Bouchard's workshop. The André-Diligent museum fund also contains nuggets of ancient and contemporary art:

• works by Dufy, Picasso or Chagall;
• sculptures with Rodin and Camille Claudel;
• fabrics dating from Egyptian antiquity;
• designer pieces (Castelbajac, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada).

With an audio guide or accompanied by a tour guide, do not miss to visit La Piscine!

Villa Cavrois

Built in 1932 by the architect Mallet-Stevens, Villa Cavrois is a huge building with the appearance of a palace of modern times. Renovated in the 2000s after decades of abandonment, it regains all its splendor and opens to visitors. The visit allows you to discover the life of the rich industrialists of the interwar period. Its period furniture, its 5-hectare park and its facade imbued with modernism are worth the detour.

The Public Condition

Installed in old textile warehouses, this space is a true artistic and cultural laboratory that presents:

• the exhibition of local, national and international works;
• creative activity sessions;
• participatory art trails outside the walls in the streets of the city;
• concerts;
• a fab lab;
• a superb indoor skatepark;
• a new cuisine restaurant;
• a shared construction workshop welcoming designers, architects and simple do-it-yourselfers;
• a coworking space.

With its immense luminous glass roof, its covered street and its majestic facade, La Condition Publique is a true marvel of industrial architecture. A high place of Roubaix heritage to be discovered absolutely.

Image

Barbieux Park

Welcome to one of the most beautiful landscaped gardens in northern France! Affectionately nicknamed "the beautiful garden" by the inhabitants of Roubaix, this large park is the green lung of the Lille metropolis. It is the ideal place to get a good breath of fresh air and take a nature break during your stay in the city. Discover hundreds of species of trees and flowering plants during your walk along the paths of Barbieux Park in Roubaix. If you are traveling with children, you will appreciate the playgrounds and mini golf to entertain yourself as a family. 

Artists' studios

Roubaix has been able to build on its industrial past to transform the old production buildings into creative spaces. Just like the Condition Publique, many monuments and old disused factories have given way to contemporary artistic places. 

The alternator

This artists' studio is located in an old Art Deco style factory. Dedicated to urban and contemporary arts, it hosts regional artists and artisans on 4 levels.

Jouret workshops

The Jouret workshops are located next to La Piscine. About forty artists bring this old industrial wasteland to life around an associative cafeteria. Mosaic, engraving, sewing and ceramic workshops are held every month.

Your hotel in the center of Roubaix

Image

Looking for a hotel in Roubaix for a business trip or a family weekend in the metropolis? Discover the B&B HOTEL Lille Roubaix Campus Gare and the B&B HOTEL Lille Roubaix Centre Grand-Place, our accommodation solutions in the heart of the city!

A stone's throw from the Roubaix campus and the best restaurants in the city, enjoy the calm of our modern and comfortable establishment. We welcome you all year round in double or family rooms, equipped with high-end bedding, a flat-screen television and unlimited wifi connection. Rooms adapted to our senior or disabled customers are available when booking.

We also offer our traditional gourmet and all-you-can-eat breakfast. Perfect for refueling before discovering the city! A little hungry? Dine in town in one of the many surrounding restaurants or order a takeaway menu from our local partners.

Book your accommodation now in one of our cheap hotels in Lille!