Discover Museum la Piscine- an unexpected pearl in the North of France

Cuno van der Feltz

Curator and Co-Founder

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An unexpected pearl to be uncovered in the North of France is Musée la Piscine in Roubaix, close to Lille. This beautiful museum of art and industry formally known as La Piscine-Musée d'Art et d'Industrie André Diligent, is definitely worth a visit.

The museum – commonly known as La Piscine – lies within a former indoor public swimming pool, and the structure maintains its incredible Art Deco interior.

The swimming pool, which was originally constructed between 1927 and 1932, was designed by the Lille architect Albert Baert. The result was a high architectonic achievement: a true nautical Temple.

_Before

The public swimming pool closed its doors in 1985 but in 1989 the city of Roubaix invited the famous architect Jean-Paul Philippon to transform this swimming pool into a museum of art and industry.
He designed a modern entrance to the building and a special exhibition space that transforms the swimming area into an exhibition hall, and, most impressively, he created an interior garden within the roofless shell of an adjoining textile factory.

In 2000, the millennium year, the new location of the museum officially opened to the public.

_Nowadays

History

The museum originated in 1835 thanks to the industrials of Roubaix. They began by collecting fabric samples produced by the local textile industries.

In 1898 the collection was housed in the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Industries Textiles (ENSAIT). Until 1940 the collection grew and became notably important.

Following the Second World War and until 1989 the collection was largely dismissed, for many objects had disappeared or were given to other institutes. Luckily, the collection has been mostly recovered and is now displayed at La Piscine.

What can you expect?

The museum has an important collection of textiles and examples of fashion throughout the century.

From textile samples to historical information there is something for everyone, including a modern fashion collection with names of designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dior, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Comme des Garçons, Kenzo and Paul Smith.

_{Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Tailleur Bambi, 2010.}
On top of the decorative art and design aspects, the museum also features diversity in its objects including a special collection of porcelain and ceramics. The former shower cabins are transformed into display cabinets, where most of these items can be viewed.

Also included in the collection, you will find works by Picasso, Raoul Dufy, Rodin, Alechinsky, Pompon, Boucher but as well from the Manufacture de Sèvres.

_{Pablo Picasso, Vase Gros Oiseau Visage Noir, 1961.}
The base of the collection was formed by the legacy of the Roubaix textile merchant Henri Selosse. In 1924 his entire collection was gifted to the museum.

Nowadays the collection - with mostly 19th and early 20th century paintings - has works from local painters like Rémy Cogghe or Jean-Joseph Weerts but as well from well-known artists like Kees van Dongen, Henri Fantin-Latour, Emile Bernard and Tamara de Lempicka.

_{Rémy Cogghe, Combat de coqs en Flandre, 1889.}
Last but not least, the museum has a splendid collection of sculptures. In the former swimming pool you will find sculptures made by Pierre Jules Mêne, Rembrandt Bugatti, François Pompon and others. So take your time to closely examine these objects!

_{François Pompon, 'Ours Blanc, Tête Monumentale', 1922.}
To finish or to start your museum tour, you should definitely visit the restaurant. You can’t miss it.

The restaurant – with sunny weather you should enjoy lunch on the terrace - is located in the old part of the former swimming pool and serves typical dishes from the region.

Also, pay a visit to the interior garden, which is inspired by a monastery garden and has many types of plants surrounded by impressive sculptures.

More information about Museum La Piscine at Roubaix, France.