Mairie de Roubaix, Town hall and listed historical monument in Roubaix, France
The Mairie de Roubaix is the town hall of Roubaix, in northern France, an eclectic-style building from the early 20th century located on the Grand-Place. Its stone facade, topped by a central bell tower, runs for over 100 meters and is covered with decorative sculptures.
The current building opened in 1911, replacing an older town hall from 1845 that had become too small as the city grew rapidly during the industrial era. During World War I, German forces used it as a command center before it was returned to its civic role after 1918.
The front of the building is covered in sculptures showing steps of textile production, from raw cotton to woven cloth. These carvings are a direct reminder of the industry that once made Roubaix one of the leading fabric-making cities in France.
The town hall sits directly on the Grand-Place, Roubaix's central square, and is easy to reach on foot from the city center. Since it is a working administrative building, access inside is limited except during special events or guided tours.
Victor Laloux, the architect behind the building, had already designed the Paris Gare d'Orsay, now the Musée d'Orsay, before taking on this project. Inside, a mural in the Pierre de Roubaix room tells the story of medieval cloth merchants who won special rights for the city, a scene rarely noticed by passing visitors.
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