Less than 90 minutes from the Channel ferry port of Calais and just half an hour from Lille, Roubaix combines designer shopping with a fascinating industrial heritage based on its prominent role in French woollen textile manufacture in the 19th century, making it one of the most unique places to visit in France.
Roubaix, "très à la mode"
Some of the city’s old industrial sites are now used to to house the factory outlets and discount clothing stores for which Roubaix is best known.
Fashionistas from all over France and further afield flock to Roubaix to take advantage of great shopping opportunities at the likes of L’Usine and McArthurGlen Roubaix. They also come to check out the Maisons de Mode, a project that brings together several boutiques with the aim of supporting new designers and in doing so helping to revive northern France’s textile industry.
Did you know? May is a particularly good time to visit the city of Roubaix if you love clothing and textiles: the Marché des Modes or fashion market includes clothes and beauty workshops along with DJ sets.
Tradition and Heritage in Roubaix
Among other industrial relics of Roubaix that have been rpurposed for the 21st century is the Musée la Piscine, a converted Art Deco swimming pool and public washrooms used by the textile workers, now displaying historical fabric samples, fashion, ceramics, ethnography and fine arts. Similarly, La Manufacture, a former textile factory, has displays on textiles both historic and contemporary, plus workshops offering visitors the chance to try out their hand for themselves.
Useful information
Tourist Board Information of Roubaix
7 Rue du Chemin de Fer
F- 59100 Roubaix
Tel: + 33 3 20 65 31 90
