Stories
La Piscine museum stands at the crossroads of two distinct histories: that of the Roubaix Industrial Museum and that of the swimming pool on Rue de Champs. From the earliest sample books to the renovation of the pool, discover the key dates in this extraordinary journey.
1835
Manufacturers have established the Roubaix Industrial Museum, housed in a former spinning mill. Samples of local textile production are on display there.
1861
The museum was entrusted to the historian Théodore Leuridan. Housed on the second floor of a former spinning mill, its collection expanded to include fine art thanks to donations, a modest budget made available from 1862, and state grants from 1864 onwards
1865
The Roubaix Industrial Museum is opening its doors to the public.
1889
The State established the École nationale des arts industriels (ENAI), which became the École nationale supérieure des arts et industries textiles (ENSAIT) in 1921.
Located opposite the current La Piscine museum, it was here that the collections of the museum—which had since become a national institution—were displayed from then on, until 1940.
1922
In response to the dilapidated state of Roubaix’s existing municipal swimming pools, the city council is launching its project to create ‘the most beautiful swimming pool in France’.
1924
The bequest from Henri Selosse, a textile merchant from Roubaix, greatly enriched the collections of the national museum. Jean-Joseph Weerts (1846–1927), a painter from Roubaix, donated his studio collection to his hometown. A new municipal museum was established to house it within the town hall.
On 27 June 1924, the municipal council approved the design by Albert Baert, architect of the Lille and Dunkirk baths. He designed – modelled on a Cistercian abbey – a complex comprising bathing facilities, a promenade garden, a sun terrace, a swimming pool, a ‘low-cost snack bar open from 1862, as well as state-funded facilities from 1864’, and also rooms for pedicures, manicures, saunas, massage, fitness and hairdressing
1927-1932
Construction work on the swimming pool on Rue des Champs
1932
The municipal baths were officially opened on 2 October; Albert Baert described them as a
“Temple of hygiene” in his opening speech.
1940
Due to the war, the National Museum is closing its doors.
1959
The museum’s collections have been partly dispersed. Roubaix now has just one museum: the Weerts Museum, located within the town hall.
1985
Faced with the threat of the pool roof collapsing, the swimming pool on Rue des Champs is closing permanently.
1990
The City Council unanimously approved the new curatorial team’s proposal to house the museum’s collections in the swimming pool on Rue des Champs. A preview gallery showcasing works from the future museum has opened in the Town Hall. Temporary exhibitions are being held in the Pierre de Roubaix Hall.
1996
Acquisition of Camille Claudel’s *La Petite Châtelaine* through a public fundraising campaign.
1998
Work has begun on the refurbishment of the Roubaix swimming pool, led by architect Jean-Paul Philippon. The site of the new museum encompasses part of the former Hannart Frères factory.
2001
Opening of La Piscine, Roubaix’s museum of art and industry, which is named after André Diligent, mayor of Roubaix from 1983 to 1994.
2016-2018
Extension work is currently underway, still under the direction of architect Jean-Paul Philippon.
The collection has been significantly enhanced by the restored studio of the sculptor Henri Bouchard (1875–1960), which was donated to the town in 2007.
2018
Opening of the expanded swimming pool
The History of "La Piscine" on Rue de Champs
History of the Roubaix Industrial Museum