Hôtel de ville de Roubaix, Municipal building in Grand Place, Roubaix, France
The Hôtel de ville de Roubaix is the town hall of Roubaix, a city in northern France, and it stands on a central public square. The building is made up of a central pavilion flanked by two wings, which together house municipal offices and the Chamber of Commerce.
Work started in 1907 under architect Ernest Thibeau, and Victor Laloux completed the central pavilion in 1911. The project came at a moment when the city had grown wealthy from the textile trade and wanted a building that matched its new status.
The facade is decorated with stone reliefs showing scenes from the textile trade, from raw cotton to finished cloth. These carvings are a direct reminder of the industry that once drove the entire city.
The building is easy to spot from the public square, and the outside facade can be seen at any time without special arrangements. Walking around the full perimeter gives a better view of the sculpted details on each side.
During World War I, the building was used as headquarters by the German military command after Bavarian troops occupied the city. Most visitors walk past without knowing that one of the most turbulent chapters of the 20th century played out inside these walls.
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