Formerly known as the La Piscine-Musée d'Art et d'Industrie André Diligent, La Piscine de Roubaix derives its name from the building it is housed in, which was once an indoor swimming pool. The museum retains most of the original decor, with changes made to the entrance and an added garden and exhibition space. Dedicated to contemporary and industrial art with a special allocation for sculptures, the museum features some of the greatest works by renowned artists from around the world.
The Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange), built in 1653, has been fully renovated and is one of the most beautiful buildings in Lille. Originally built in Flemish baroque architecture to serve as a symbol of the market town of Lille, it now encompasses a secondhand bookstore and flower shops. As you wander through this enchanting building, you'll find many old books of all genres: novels, scientific books, textbooks, graphic novels, post cards, etc. This place is unique, thanks to both its site and to its incredible variety of ancient works on sale, and so it provides the perfect backdrop for a trip into the past. A real gem!
Lille's first Opera House, built in 1875 by Michel Lequeux, a native of Lille, was destroyed by fire in 1903. To replace the neoclassicism of the destroyed edifice, Cordonnier suggested a style that was decidedly Louis XVI, with an interior decoration as sumptuous as its outward appearance. The building was inaugurated in 1923, with Massenet, Lalo and Bizet on the program. Notice the high contours at the summit of the building depicting Apollo and his Muses, by Hippolyte Lefébvre, an allegory of Music, one of Alphonse Cordonnier's works on the left. On the other side, enjoy tragedy by the sculptor Lemaire.
Each and every small commune and town in France is filled with castles, wine estates and art museums and Villeneuve-D'Ascq is no exception to this. The Musée d'Art Moderne Lille Métropole also known as Musée d'Art moderne de Villeneuve-d'Ascq is an important museum of this commune. Set-up in 1983, it houses artworks of great and renowned artists like Picasso and Calder. It also comprises collections donated by Roger Dutilleul and Jean Masurel. You can check the works of artists from different eras, each representing a particular art movement.
Built under Napoleon I in the beginning of the 19th Century, the Palais des Beaux Arts de Lille is both, one of the oldest art museums in France, as well as one of its largest. Works seized from churches and territories in Revolutionary France were sent to this museum to promote the popularization of art. The museum was renovated in the early 1990s and expanded to cover over 22,000 square meters (236,806.03 square feet). The museum's fine art collection is one of the best in the country, featuring such masters as Rembrandt, Goya, Rodin and Delacroix, delighting art-lovers from all over the world. The museum building itself, is an arresting sight and a fitting home to the cultural treasure it houses. The museum also hosts a variety of events that can generally be attended by the public.
Surrounding the historic Citadel, the Parc de la Citadelle is a sprawling spread of lush greenery that is visited by locals as well as tourists. It consists of the zoo as well as the Bois de Boulogne Woods. The Deûle canal lies at the perimeter of the park. On exploring the natural beauty, one is sure to find trees like the Montepellier Maple and the Giant Sequoia.
Among the many historical cemeteries that are located on the Ypres Salient, the Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery occupies immense significance. The burial ground has been assigned to the United Kingdom so as to acknowledge the many sacrifices made by The British Empire. The cemetery holds the burials of the World War I martyrs. It was founded and established in the year 1917. The cemetery site holds a total of 58 burials. As you wander through the peaceful grounds, the solemnity of Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery becomes a place for contemplation, honoring the memory of those who rest in eternal peace amidst the Flanders Fields.
About 60,000 Canadian forces were killed during World War I, and more than 11,000 of their graves remain undiscovered. The Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Vimy, France, was built in memory of these unknown heroes. One of the few National Historic Sites of Canada outside the nation, the site features a concrete memorial that is situated atop a ridge and towers over the surrounding landscape. The memorial structure consists of twenty human figures and has the names of all those soldiers with unaccounted graves etched onto the walls. Around the memorial, one can visit preserved tunnels and trenches symbolic of the war, along with the visitors center that provides guided tours of the memorial complex.
The Vieille Bourse (Old Stock Exchange), built in 1653, has been fully renovated and is one of the most beautiful buildings in Lille. Originally built in Flemish baroque architecture to serve as a symbol of the market town of Lille, it now encompasses a secondhand bookstore and flower shops. As you wander through this enchanting building, you'll find many old books of all genres: novels, scientific books, textbooks, graphic novels, post cards, etc. This place is unique, thanks to both its site and to its incredible variety of ancient works on sale, and so it provides the perfect backdrop for a trip into the past. A real gem!
The Parc Nature et Loisirs de Wingles is a vast green space (over 150 hectares) reclaimed from industrial wasteland and available to the public. Membership is fairly inexpensive and comes with one free activity upon joining. There are a number of activities available including wind-surfing, kayaking, sailing, cycling on marked tracks, fishing, shooting, tennis and mini-golf. Go for a hike along the nature trail, and stop for lunch at one of the many picnic tables that dot the route. Members can also camp here. Enjoy the outdoors!
Formerly known as the La Piscine-Musée d'Art et d'Industrie André Diligent, La Piscine de Roubaix derives its name from the building it is housed in, which was once an indoor swimming pool. The museum retains most of the original decor, with changes made to the entrance and an added garden and exhibition space. Dedicated to contemporary and industrial art with a special allocation for sculptures, the museum features some of the greatest works by renowned artists from around the world.