La Piscine - Musée d'art et d'industrie André Diligent de Roubaix

Imagine a unique space where art meets the history of everyday life: the La Piscine Museum of Art and Industry André Diligent is perhaps one of the most unusual galleries that France has to offer. Located in the town of Roubaix, the museum occupies a magnificent municipal swimming pool building, constructed in the Art Deco style in the early 1930s.

La Piscine Museum of Art and Industry André Diligent. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The heart of the museum remains the huge basin of the former pool, which is still filled with water today. Surrounding it, bathed in light from enormous semicircular stained-glass windows depicting the sunrise and sunset, stand elegant sculptures. The former showers and changing cabins have been transformed into cozy exhibition rooms housing collections of ceramics, textiles, and fashion, reflecting the city's glorious industrial past.

This site is rightfully considered an outstanding monument of 20th-century architecture. A reconstruction carried out in the late 90s transformed the old building into a modern cultural center covering 11,000 m². There is no strict hierarchy here: fine arts from the 19th and 20th centuries sit alongside applied crafts, creating a unique dialogue between creativity and industry.

For more information on special events or to book group tours, you can use the following contact details. The museum actively engages with visitors through its official website and by phone.

The first thing to do is take a stroll along the central pool. The surrounding life-size statues create magical reflections, while the light passing through the famous stained-glass windows changes the atmosphere of the hall throughout the day. Be sure to look into the former changing cabins: they now display fabric samples and decorative items that tell the story of Roubaix as the region's textile capital.

In the side wings of the museum, masterpieces of 19th and 20th-century painting and sculpture await you. Works on display include pieces transferred from iconic locations such as the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée Rodin. For nature lovers, there is a botanical garden featuring plants traditionally used in the textile industry for making fibers and dyes.

In addition to the permanent collection, the museum organizes about 15 temporary exhibitions annually, so every visit can bring new discoveries. After wandering through the halls, stop by the stylish boutique for souvenirs or relax in the restaurant of the famous Méert confectionery chain to round off your experience with a cup of coffee surrounded by Art Deco aesthetics.

The museum is located at 23 Rue de l'Espérance, in the heart of the city. If you are coming from nearby Lille, the journey takes only about 20 minutes. The most convenient way is to take Metro Line 2 and get off at Roubaix — Grand Place station, from where you can walk to the entrance in 10–15 minutes. Trams and buses also serve the museum (stop Piscine Musée).

For those who prefer traveling by car, take the E17 or E403 motorways from Lille. Parking areas are available near the museum. If you are arriving from Paris, the high-speed TGV train will take you to Lille-Flandres station in one hour, after which you only need to transfer to local transport. Within the city itself, it is also very convenient to get around by bicycle or take a taxi from the main square.

The history of this place began as early as 1835, when local textile magnates created a collection of fabric samples to protect their commercial interests. Over time, the collection grew, and in 1861, the municipality decided to establish a full-fledged museum. However, the current home of the collection — the former swimming pool building — has its own separate, fascinating story.

Built between 1927 and 1932 according to the design of architect Albert Baert, the pool became a true symbol of the hygiene movement of that era. It was called "the most beautiful pool in France" for its luxurious Art Deco design, featuring a garden, steam baths, and even a beauty salon. For a long time, it served as a social center for the city's workers until it was closed in 1985 for technical reasons.

The townspeople loved the building so much that they did not allow it to be demolished. In the 1990s, a bold idea was born to transform it into a cultural space. Thanks to a large-scale renovation led by Jean-Paul Philippon, the site reopened in 2001 in its new capacity. The Museum of Art and Industry preserved the spirit of a bygone era, integrating works of art into the industrial landscape of the past.

To leisurely explore all the halls and enjoy the unique atmosphere, visitors usually need between 2 to 4 hours. This is enough time to study the permanent collection, walk along the famous pool, and peek into the former changing cabins that have become exhibition showcases.

If you plan to visit one of the many temporary exhibitions or decide to have lunch at the local Méert restaurant, we recommend setting aside half a day. The internal garden also deserves special attention, where you can spend some quiet time after an extensive tour of the collections.

When planning your visit, please note that the museum is closed on Mondays. On other weekdays (Tuesday–Thursday), the doors are open from 11:00 to 18:00. A special time is Friday, when the museum stays open until 20:00, perfect for an evening cultural getaway.

On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), the schedule is slightly different: visitors are welcome from 13:00 to 18:00. It is recommended to check the official website before your trip, as opening hours may change on public holidays or during exhibition changes.

A stroll around the museum's neighborhood will allow you to dive deeper into the atmosphere of this industrial region and discover other interesting architectural and cultural monuments. Roubaix is famous for its industrial heritage, which is finding new life today.

Below are the sites located within walking or driving distance of the museum: