CABARET DE L'UNION - Roubaix
Choreographer Sylvain Groud invites you to explore dance as work through a sensitive and collective experience.
Plizio Visual Lab
Roubaix
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Roubaix
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- The famous La Piscine Museum, an art gallery in a former Art Deco swimming pool, gets busy; buy tickets in advance.
- You can easily reach Roubaix from Lille using the inexpensive public tram or metro network.
- Cycling fans should visit the historic Velodrome, the iconic finish line of the Paris-Roubaix race.
- Parking in the city center can be tricky; use the park-and-ride facilities near metro stations.
🍽 Food
🍽
Welsh
A hearty northern dish of melted cheddar over toasted bread and ham, found in classic estaminets (taverns).
🍽
Gaufre à la Cassonade
A soft waffle filled with brown sugar butter, a regional staple available at local bakeries.
🍽
Carbonnade Flamande
A rich beef stew cooked in beer, commonly served with fries in traditional local restaurants.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Factory Outlets
Roubaix is historically tied to textiles. Look for discounted designer clothes at large outlet centers like L'Usine or McArthurGlen.
🛍
Local Boutiques
Wander around the streets near La Piscine museum for small, independent design and clothing shops.
🧘
Parc Barbieux
An immense, beautifully landscaped English-style park with lakes, great for a peaceful walk.
🧘
Canal de Roubaix
The revitalized canal paths offer a tranquil setting for walking or cycling away from city traffic.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
10
Day Dreams - Buster Keaton
Discover the magic of Buster Keaton's silent films with live orchestral accompaniment in this poetic performance.
Flea Market on Rue Inkerman
A traditional street market and flea market in the heart of Roubaix on Rue Inkerman and surrounding streets.
Circle Song Discovery Workshop
Discover the joy of collective singing and improvisation with Jeanne Desf. A joyful workshop where voice and body percussion come together to create unique rhythmic moments.
Canal Festival in Roubaix
A celebration of art and Mediterranean culture featuring concerts, nature workshops, and water activities. Enjoy boat trips, kayaking, and floating fun along the scenic canal.
Flea Market & Garage Sale - Rue de Lannoy
Hunt for treasures and bargains at this large street flea market in Roubaix. Held on Mondays in May, it’s the perfect place to experience local life and find unique items.
Alma Street Fest: Back to the 60s & 70s
Dive into the 60s and 70s vibe with retro stalls and dance battles. A free community event for all ages in the Alma district of Roubaix.
Flea Market & Garage Sale - Rue de la Vigne
An extensive neighborhood flea market around Rue de la Vigne. Perfect for collectors and curious visitors looking for unique local finds.
First Sunday Free Museum Entry
Every first Sunday of the month, enjoy free access to the permanent collections of La Piscine museum. Explore art within the stunning architecture of this former swimming pool.
Grand Chemin Street Fest: Back to the 90s
Celebrate the 90s with breakdance battles and retro vibes at the Grand Chemin basketball court. A high-energy, free outdoor event for the whole family.
Roubaix, located in the Nord department near the Belgian border, stands as a testament to France's industrial prowess and subsequent urban resilience. Once dubbed the Manchester of the North, the city rose to prominence in the 19th century as a global leader in textile production, particularly wool. The legacy of this golden age is visible in the monumental brick factories and the Grand Place, showcasing Flemish architectural influences. The city has achieved international acclaim for its successful conversion of industrial sites, most notably the La Piscine Museum, which houses an extensive art collection within a beautifully preserved 1930s swimming pool. Sports fans recognize Roubaix as the legendary finish line for the Paris-Roubaix cycling race, held annually since 1896. Today, the city is a bustling hub for the creative economy, hosting fashion incubators and digital startups in former warehouses. Its rich multicultural social fabric and dedication to sustainable urban renewal make it a fascinating example of a post-industrial city reinventing itself for the 21st century.
- Location: Hauts-de-France, France
- Top sights: La Piscine Museum · Roubaix City Hall · Barbieux Park
- Nearby: Wasquehal (4 km)
- Population: ~99.507
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 60 | 55 | 53 | 41 | 59 | 61 | 68 | 73 | 52 | 65 | 71 | 74 |
Geography
Facts
- Roubaix was first mentioned in historical records in the 9th century.
- The city covers a total land area of approximately 13.23 square kilometers.
- The La Piscine Museum opened in its current location in October 2001.
- The Paris-Roubaix race covers nearly 260 kilometers, ending in the city.
- Roubaix was a major center for mail-order retail, home to companies like La Redoute.
- The city is a significant part of the Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai Eurodistrict.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Roubaix (17)
Frequently asked questions
What is 'La Piscine' museum?
It is an art and industry museum located in a magnificent former Art Deco swimming pool from the 1930s.
Which famous cycling race ends in Roubaix?
The Paris-Roubaix one-day race, known as the 'Queen of the Classics', ends annually at the Roubaix Velodrome.
Are there good shopping opportunities in Roubaix?
Yes, Roubaix is famous for its outlet centers like McArthurGlen and L'Usine, offering branded goods at discounted prices.
How to get to Roubaix from Lille?
The metro line 2 connects the center of Lille directly to Roubaix in about 20 to 25 minutes.
What industrial past does the city have?
Roubaix was a globally significant center of the textile industry in the 19th century, remembered today by many factory buildings.
Roubaix: where is it located?
Roubaix is located in Hauts-de-France, France.
Roubaix: what is there to see?
Highlights include La Piscine Museum, Roubaix City Hall, Barbieux Park.
Roubaix: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Roubaix: why is it worth visiting?
Roubaix, located in the Nord department near the Belgian border, stands as a testament to France's industrial prowess and subsequent urban resilience.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in France →
Nearby cities
Lille
Lille, located near the Belgian border, is a vibrant metropolis in northern France.
Lille-Sud
Lille-Sud is an area for housing and urban development south of the city center.
Tourcoing
Tourcoing is a prominent industrial city in northern France, situated on the Belgian border and characterized by its rich textile heritage.
Annappes
A historic district of Villeneuve-d'Ascq, renowned for its Carolingian origins and extensive green spaces.
Arras
Arras is known for its two large squares, Flemish architecture, and strong World War I memory.
Douai
A historic city in northern France, celebrated for its magnificent belfry and deep-reaching Flemish heritage.
Valenciennes
Valenciennes is a northern French city with a mining past, artistic tradition, and proximity to the Belgian border.
Wattrelos
A historic textile city located on the Belgian border, part of the Lille Metropolitan area.
Lens
Lens is a former mining town that is now redefining itself through the Louvre-Lens and new cultural life.
Cambrai
Cambrai is a historic Hauts-de-France city with fortifications, a cathedral, and a traditional sweet.
Liévin
Liévin is a historic city in the former Nord-Pas-de-Calais mining basin, now a major center for sports and culture.
Béthune
Béthune is a charming city in northern France, renowned for its Flemish-style Grand-Place and its magnificent historic belfry.
Lomme
Lomme is a dynamic suburb of Lille, known for its industrial heritage and the major Le Grand But commercial district.
Lambersart
Lambersart is an elegant residential city next to Lille, known for its magnificent villas along the Avenue de l'Hippodrome and its green …
La Chapelle-d'Armentières
A welcoming city in northern France near the Belgian border, blending industrial heritage with modern residential living.