France's most beautiful swimming pool
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Having recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, the museum La Piscine in Roubaix in the north of France is a work of art in itself. True to its name, it is a former indoor swimming pool - but not just any swimming pool: it has been called France’s most beautiful.
The municipal swimming pool, which was built in 1932, is a palace in the art deco style. The former pool room is decorated with beautiful sculptures, porcelain, and large stained glass windows at both ends.
The Marimekko exhibition suits Roubaix well, as the city has been previously known for its textile industry. Now the industry has almost completely died away, and the unemployment rate is high.
The swimming pool had to be closed in 1985, because it was not seen to be safe enough. An extensive refurbishment was enacted, emphasising the preservation of the original spirit of the building. The new Museum of Art and Industry opened its doors in 2001.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 27.10.2006
La Piscine, Musée d'art et d'industrie, 24 rue des Champs, Roubaix. Exhibition of Finnish Design, open until January 15th.29 October 2006.
More on this subject:
 Marimekko textiles on display in France
Helsingin Sanomat
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