la Piscine – Musee D’art Et D’industrie AndrÉ Diligent de Roubaix
la Piscine – Musee D’art Et D’industrie AndrÉ Diligent de Roubaix
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About la Piscine – Musee D’art Et D’industrie AndrÉ Diligent de Roubaix
Add to favoritesConsidered one of the most original and poetic museums in the world, La Piscine – Musée d'Art et d'Industrie André Diligent in Roubaix is a masterpiece of architectural rehabilitation. Housed in a former Art Deco swimming pool, built between 1927 and 1932 by the architect Albert Baert, it was once considered "the most beautiful swimming pool in France." Today, bathers have given way to exceptional collections of sculptures, paintings, and textiles. The Olympic-sized pool, still filled with water, serves as a setting for a garden of majestic statues, bathed in the colored light from two immense semicircular glass roofs symbolizing the rising and setting sun. The museum pays vibrant homage to Roubaix's industrial past: its galleries display one of the richest collections of textiles in France, a reminder that the city was once the world capital of wool. The website chateaux-en-france.com recommends not missing the former shower room, now transformed into display cases for ceramics (including pieces by Picasso), or the reconstructions of artists' studios. A stroll around the central pool, accompanied by a soundscape reminiscent of the echoes of bathers of yesteryear, creates an aesthetic experience unlike any other museum.
Tip for an even more exceptional visit.
The Swimming Pool is a very popular spot, especially during major temporary exhibitions. My expert tip: Plan your visit for mid-afternoon, around 3:30 or 4:00 pm. The chateaux-en-france.com website recommends this time because the light filters through the solar glass roof at a low angle, creating iridescent reflections on the water of the pool and the statues—a magical moment for photographers. Also note that the museum is free on the first Sunday of each month for the permanent collections, but expect large crowds. Another little-known tip: make a detour to the museum's restaurant and tea room, run by the renowned Lille-based company Meert. Located in the former refectory of the swimming pool, it offers the chance to enjoy the legendary vanilla waffle in a beautifully preserved setting. For a complete immersion in the spirit of the place, visit the shop located in the former women's entrance: it's brimming with items inspired by Roubaix textile patterns. Finally, the chateaux-en-france.com website suggests taking advantage of your visit to Roubaix to combine this tour with a trip to the Villa Cavrois in Croix (just 10 minutes away by tram), another icon of modern architecture that perfectly complements the exploration of northern France's heritage.
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Submit your review.Amy31
2023-12-10"Very cool. Considered one of the most original and poetic museums in the world, La Piscine – Musée d'Art et d'Industrie André Diligent in Rou... Tip: The Swimming Pool is a very popular spot, especially during major temporary exhibitions. My expert tip: Plan your visit for mid-afternoon, around 3:30 or 4:00 pm. The chateaux-en-france.com website recommends this time because the light filters through the solar glass roof at a low angle, creating iridescent reflections on the water of the pool an"
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