A museum of art and industry housed in a former Art Deco swimming pool, where industrial heritage and contemporary collections share a striking modernist interior.
At a glance
La Piscine—French for “the swimming pool”—occupies a repurposed indoor swimming facility in Roubaix, a city in northern France’s historic textile region. The museum presents both art and industrial design within an architectural setting that remains its greatest asset.
History
The building was originally constructed as a public indoor swimming pool. Rather than demolish or abandon it, Roubaix transformed the structure into a cultural institution, converting the pool hall and surrounding spaces into galleries while preserving the distinctive Art Deco character of the original interior.
What you see
The Art Deco interior is the museum’s architectural signature. The former pool hall—with its geometric tilework, soaring proportions, and period details—now serves as the dramatic centerpiece of the building. Galleries wrap around this central space, allowing visitors to experience both the industrial heritage and contemporary art collections within an envelope of 1920s–30s modernism.
Cultural significance
La Piscine exemplifies adaptive reuse in cultural heritage. By preserving and repurposing a civic structure, the museum honors Roubaix’s industrial past while serving as a living gallery. The juxtaposition of a historic public amenity with contemporary art practice demonstrates how working-class architecture can transition into spaces of cultural value without losing its original character.
Key facts
- Location: Roubaix, France
- Coordinates: 50.692577, 3.167560
- Original function: Indoor swimming pool
- Architectural style: Art Deco
Practical information & getting there
La Piscine is located in Roubaix, easily accessible by train from Lille and Paris. Visit the museum’s official website for current opening hours, admission fees, and temporary exhibitions.
Sources & resources
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