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An arty outing in Roubaix with Jean-Christophe Levassor

By Jean-Christophe Levassor
© Frame Pictures/BETC POP  —  Jean-Christophe Levassor
Full speed ahead for Roubaix! You wouldn’t want to miss the final days of our big exhibition at La Condition Publique: Street Generation(s), with 40 years of urban art from 50 renowned artists... on until 9 July. It’s a fine opportunity for an artistic, creative, and culture-filled trip to France’s north, just 1.5 hours from Paris.
© Frame Pictures/BETC POP  —  The Condition Publique
La Condition Publique

Located at the heart of the historic Pile neighbourhood, La Condition Publique is a lab and melting pot for creativity and home to artists’ studios and start-ups alike. It also serves as a venue for a whole programme of events, festivals, and exhibitions.

Le Delta Studio

I really love this place: simultaneously a studio, artists’ residence, and exhibition space.

© Frame Pictures/BETC POP  —  The Delta Studio
Le Delta Studio

I really love this place: simultaneously a studio, artists’ residence, and exhibition space.

© Frame Pictures/BETC POP  —  The « Non-Lieu »
Le « Non-Lieu »

This place is fantastic. It has the allure of a converted factory, and combines heritage with artists at work.
Open on request

La Plus Petite Galerie Du Monde

A nice gallery with great art in the pipeline. You should also pop in to La Danseuse, another small gallery just opposite.

© Frame Pictures/BETC POP  —  The "Plus Petite Galerie Du Monde"
La Plus Petite Galerie Du Monde

A nice gallery with great art in the pipeline. You should also pop in to La Danseuse, another small gallery just opposite.

© Frame Pictures/BETC POP  —  Barbieux Park
Barbieux Park

It was Roubaix’s rival to Paris’ Champ de Mars, back when Roubaix was one of the richest and most powerful cities in France (Ed. – The park was built for the International Expo in 1911).

La Piscine

You can’t mention Roubaix without mentioning its old swimming pool, now a museum, that stands as a shining example of regenerated heritage. The building’s historical appearance has been maintained, working with locals, in an attachment that can still be felt today.
Every day except Monday.

© Frame Pictures/BETC POP  —  La Piscine Museum
La Piscine

You can’t mention Roubaix without mentioning its old swimming pool, now a museum, that stands as a shining example of regenerated heritage. The building’s historical appearance has been maintained, working with locals, in an attachment that can still be felt today.
Every day except Monday.

© Frame Pictures/BETC POP  —  Café Jean
WHERE’S DINNER ?
Café Jean

My favourite and a real family home, where they make everything themselves. It harkens back to days not so long gone...

Mercado Negro

Just what Roubaix needed! Combining industrial charm with the antique feel that is everywhere in France’s north, it only opens on evenings, from Thursday onwards. You can have tapas or sit down for dinner (really tasty Portuguese dishes). And sometimes the evening just keeps going... all the way to 3am!

© Frame Pictures/BETC POP  —  Mercado Negro
Mercado Negro

Just what Roubaix needed! Combining industrial charm with the antique feel that is everywhere in France’s north, it only opens on evenings, from Thursday onwards. You can have tapas or sit down for dinner (really tasty Portuguese dishes). And sometimes the evening just keeps going... all the way to 3am!

© Frame Pictures/BETC POP  —  Ankama
Ankama

High quality cuisine in a delightful setting of a modernised canteen.

WHAT’S NEXT?

  • From factory to art gallery: La Manufacture
  • An unusual concert hall: La Cave aux poètes
  • Creative and trendy shopping: Le Grand Bassin (External link), Wednesday to Sunday, or the studio boutiques of the Maisons de mode (External link), next to La Piscine museum, Wednesday to Saturday
  • An amazing modernist chateau: La Villa Cavrois (External link), designed by Robert Mallet Stevens and fully restored. Every day except Tuesday
  • And before jumping on the train home: pop in to the Librairie Autour des mots, opposite the station.

BUT WHO IS JEAN-CHRISTOPHE LEVASSOR?
Director of La Condition Publique since January 2016, Jean-Christophe Levassor knows the area well, having previously served as the Director of Culture for the city of Lille.

By Jean-Christophe Levassor

Getting to Roubaix 

Getting to Roubaix

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