History of Roubaix

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Roubaix is rooted in the early Middle Ages. The settlement is first mentioned in historical documents of the 9th century (around the year 863) under the Latin name Villa Rusbais. Initially, it was a small rural community that gradually transformed into a significant holding of local feudal lords, becoming the centre of a seigniory of the same name.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of Roubaix from a modest settlement into a major economic hub was driven by a combination of geographical and political factors:

• Strategic Location: Situated on the border with Flanders, the city had access to the region's vital trade routes.
• Political Influence: The Lords of Roubaix played a huge role in its development. In the 15th century, Pierre de Roubaix secured significant privileges for the city, strengthening its status.
• Charter of 1469: A key moment was the permission granted by Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, to manufacture and trade cloth. This right allowed Roubaix to begin competing with neighbouring Lille and laid the foundation for future prosperity.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The city's economic structure and culture were formed around the craft that would define its destiny for centuries to come:

• Textile Specialisation: Even in the early period, wool processing and weaving became the basis of city life. It was these traditions that would later bring Roubaix fame as the "City of a Thousand Chimneys".
• Entrepreneurial Freedom: Unlike many large cities of that time with strict guild rules, Roubaix offered artisans more flexible conditions, which attracted masters and merchants to the area.

Major Milestones in Roubaix's History

The chronology of the city's development clearly demonstrates its transformation from a feudal estate into an industrial centre and a modern cultural hub.

• 863: First documentary mention of the settlement under the name Villa Rusbais in historical chronicles.
• 1469: Duke Charles the Bold grants the city a charter for fabric production, which became the starting point for the development of the textile industry.
• 1790: Roubaix receives official status as a commune and forms its first municipal council.
• 1846: Opening of the railway line connecting the city with Lille, giving a powerful impulse to the industrial revolution.
• 1867: The population exceeds 65,000 people, cementing Roubaix's status as one of the largest industrial centres in France.
• 1896: The first legendary Paris–Roubaix cycling race takes place, subsequently becoming one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world.
• 1911: The city hosts the International Exhibition of Northern France, demonstrating the peak of its economic power and prosperity.
• 1932: Grand opening of the municipal swimming pool in Art Deco style — an architectural masterpiece by Albert Baert.
• 1985: Closure of the swimming pool due to safety concerns, marking the beginning of a long journey towards its rebirth.
• 1993: Opening of the National Archives of the World of Labour in the building of the former Motte-Bossut cotton mill.
• 2001: Opening of the museum of art and industry, La Piscine, in the reconstructed swimming pool building, marking the city's cultural renaissance.
• 2005: Roubaix is awarded the honorary title "City of Art and History" for preserving and popularising its unique industrial heritage.

Stages of Development: From Industrial Giant to Art Centre

The history of Roubaix is a classic example of how a city can completely reinvent itself while maintaining respect for the past. Key stages of its development have formed a unique architectural and cultural landscape that attracts tourists today.

• 19th Century Industrial Revolution ("The French Manchester"): During this period, Roubaix experienced phenomenal growth, becoming the world capital of the textile industry. The significance of this stage is colossal: it was then that the dense urban layout was formed, and hundreds of factory chimneys and brick buildings appeared, which today constitute the basis of the city's architectural heritage.
• "Belle Époque" Urban Planning (Fin de siècle): At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, city authorities invested huge funds in improving the urban environment. The creation of Parc Barbieux (one of the most beautiful in France) and wide boulevards was intended to improve the quality of life and demonstrate the wealth of the local bourgeoisie.
• Social Innovations of the Early 20th Century: Under the leadership of Mayor Jean-Baptiste Lebas, the city became a pioneer in the field of social hygiene and care for workers. The construction of the legendary municipal swimming pool (now the La Piscine museum) in 1932 became a symbol of the accessibility of the benefits of civilisation to all layers of the population, combining functionality with Art Deco aesthetics.
• Textile Industry Crisis (1970s–1980s): Globalisation and the relocation of production led to the closure of most factories. For the city, this was a heavy economic blow, but it was this crisis that forced Roubaix to seek new paths of development, moving away from a mono-industry.
• Adaptive Reuse Strategy (from the 1990s): Instead of demolishing abandoned industrial sites, the city chose the path of revitalisation. Former spinning mills and warehouses were converted into lofts, offices, cultural centres (such as La Condition Publique), and educational institutions, preserving the unique "red brick" atmosphere.
• Opening of La Piscine Museum (2001): A turning point in modern history. The transformation of the closed swimming pool into a museum of art and industry returned Roubaix to the cultural map of Europe, proving that industrial heritage can be a powerful tourist magnet.
• Focus on Digital Economy and Fashion (21st Century): Today, Roubaix positions itself as a centre for e-commerce and innovation in the textile sphere (the Blanchemaille project). This is a return to its roots (trade and fabrics), but in a digital format, ensuring the city's economic stability in the present.

Architectural Identity: A City of Brick and Steel

The urban appearance of Roubaix is unique for France: it is not a classic medieval town with narrow stone streets, but a powerful industrial metropolis formed primarily in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is often called the "City of a Thousand Chimneys", and it is industrial architecture that has become its calling card, combining functionality with monumentality.

Key Architectural Eras and Styles

The development of the city can be traced through the change of architectural trends, each of which has left a noticeable mark on the streets of Roubaix:

• Neo-Gothic (19th Century):

  Although the city's roots go back to the Middle Ages, most sacred structures were rebuilt during the era of industrialisation. A vivid example is the Saint-Martin Church. Originally built in the 15th century, it underwent significant changes in the mid-19th century, receiving a Neo-Gothic facade intended to emphasise the antiquity and spiritual significance of the place against the backdrop of rising factories.

• Eclecticism and Industrial Style (Late 19th — Early 20th Century):

  The heyday of the textile industry gifted the city its most recognisable features. This time is characterised by the use of red brick, metal, and glass.

  Iconic objects:

  • Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville): A majestic building designed by architect Victor Laloux (creator of the Gare d'Orsay in Paris). It combines elements of Classicism and the Renaissance, symbolising the wealth and power of the textile magnates.
  • Factory-Castles: Industrial buildings, such as Motte-Bossut, were built with crenellated walls and towers, resembling fortresses. This was architecture designed to command respect.
• Art Deco (Interwar Period):

  In the 1920s and 1930s, city authorities focused on social infrastructure, choosing the elegant and modern Art Deco style for it. The jewel of this period is the famous swimming pool (La Piscine), built by Albert Baert. Stained glass, mosaics, and strict geometry of forms turned a utilitarian object into a temple of hygiene and beauty.

• Modern Revitalisation (Loft Style and High-Tech):

  Since the end of the 20th century, Roubaix has demonstrated a masterclass in adaptive reuse. Old workshops are not demolished but transformed. Architects preserve historical brick facades, complementing them with modern glass structures and open communications, creating trendy lofts, offices, and cultural centres.

Urban Zoning

The structure of Roubaix clearly reflects the social stratification of the past, which today creates an interesting contrast:

• Working-Class Quarters (Courées): Labyrinths of narrow alleyways with small brick houses where factory workers lived. Today, many of them have been reconstructed and are part of the historical atmosphere.
• Bourgeois Boulevards: The area around Parc Barbieux is built up with luxurious mansions in styles ranging from Neo-Renaissance to Art Nouveau. Wide avenues, such as Boulevard de Paris, were designed after the Parisian model to demonstrate the status of the owners of textile empires.

Distinguished Figures of Roubaix

Roubaix has given the world many talented people, from captains of industry to virtuosos of art. The biographies of these individuals are closely intertwined with the history of the city and reflect its spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity.

• Bernard Arnault (born 1949) — Businessman and Patron of the Arts
  A native of Roubaix who became one of the wealthiest people on the planet and the chairman of the LVMH group (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy). His family owned a local construction firm, and it was here that Arnault began his path in business. His success symbolises the transition from the region's traditional industry to the global luxury economy.
• Jean-Baptiste Lebas (1878–1944) — Politician and Mayor of the City
  An iconic figure in the history of Roubaix. As mayor, he initiated the construction of the famous municipal swimming pool (now the La Piscine museum) and Parc Barbieux, striving to improve the quality of life for citizens. As France's Minister of Labour, he played a key role in social reforms, including the introduction of paid holidays.
• Georges Delerue (1925–1992) — Film Composer and Conductor
  A musician who was called the "Mozart of cinemas". Born in Roubaix to a working-class family, he wrote music for more than 350 films, collaborating with François Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard. He was an Oscar winner for his score to the film "A Little Romance".
• Maxence Van der Meersch (1907–1951) — Writer
  A novelist whose work became a literary chronicle of Northern France. He lived and worked in Roubaix, describing the daily life of textile workers and the social contrasts of the city. Winner of the prestigious Goncourt Prize in 1936 for the novel "L'Empreinte du dieu" (The Mark of God).
• Arnaud Desplechin (born 1960) — Film Director
  A renowned representative of modern French auteur cinema. He often returns to his hometown in his work. His film "Oh Mercy!" (originally Roubaix, une lumière) was presented at the Cannes Film Festival and portrays the city in the genre of a noir drama.
• Viviane Romance (1912–1991) — Actress
  A star of French cinema in the 1930s and 1940s, born in Roubaix. She became famous for vivid roles in the "femme fatale" archetype and was one of the most sought-after actresses of her era, filming with great directors such as Julien Duvivier.
• Gérard Mulliez (born 1931) — Entrepreneur
  Founder of the Auchan retail chain. A representative of one of the most influential families in the region, whose fortune was originally formed in the textile industry of Roubaix. Mulliez became a pioneer of hypermarkets in France, opening the first store in this very district.