As well as forging links with its textile past, of which it has preserved an exceptional heritage, Roubaix, the former wool capital of the world, is following a trajectory that is raising it to the rank of capital in many fields: fashion, street art, zero waste, the digital industry and, of course, cycling. Welcome to a city that has transformed its thousand chimneys and former industrial strongholds into fertile ground for creativity, experimentation and innovation.
Roubaix, a land of cycling… and soft mobility
The long-standing connection between Roubaix and cycling is embodied by the Paris–Roubaix Hauts-de-France classic. The city is home to the Parc des Sports, a unique cycling complex in Europe. It includes the historic André Pétrieux Velodrome, where champions proudly lift the iconic cobblestone trophy, as well as the Jean Stablinski indoor velodrome, which hosts national and international competitions. The site also features a BMX track and, more recently, a pumptrack dedicated to urban riding.
Roubaix is also driven by a strong cycling culture through its Vélo Club and its UCI Continental team, Van Rysel–Roubaix Lille Métropole, which promotes the values of professional cycling across the Nord department and the Hauts-de-France region.
The city continues to expand its cycling infrastructure, with over 100 kilometres of bike lanes covering the entire area. It also offers a network of bicycle-sharing stations, complemented since 2021 by fleets of bicycles and e-scooters available across numerous stations. Strongly committed to sport, Roubaix proudly holds the “Terre d’Excellence Cycliste” label, as well as the “Ville active et sportive” (4 laurels) and “Cycle City” distinctions.
A city of art and history
Roubaix boasts a rich heritage that invites discovery and sharing. Since receiving the “Ville d’art et d’histoire” label in 2001, the city has continued to reinvent the way its history is told. Here, heritage is not confined to historic buildings—it shapes everyday life. The La Piscine Museum, which attracts over 250,000 visitors each year, and the Condition Publique, a hub for cultural, social and environmental innovation, are prime examples.
Other must-see sites include La Manufacture, a museum dedicated to textile history, the churches of Saint Joseph and Saint Martin, the Motte-Bossut factory, the City Hall and Parc Barbieux, the largest urban park north of Paris.