In the French city of Roubaix, near Lille, the Museum of Art and Industry, better known as the "Swimming Pool" (La Piscine), has reopened after reconstruction. This is reported by Lonely Planet.
The unique museum is located in the building of what was once the most beautiful French swimming pool and has a rich collection of more than 70,000 works of art, including works by Picasso, Di Rosa and the Swiss sculptor Giacometti. The La Piscine building is illuminated by giant stained glass windows, and its perimeter is surrounded by marble statues. The Art Deco pool itself was built in 1932. After 53 years, it ceased to operate. And in 2001, the building housed the Museum of Art and Industry.
Over the past 16 years, the world's only swimming pool museum has been visited by more than 3 million people. It was later named the best art museum in France outside of Paris. Its main highlight is still the beautiful 40-meter swimming pool in the main gallery La Piscine. In 2017, the museum was closed for reconstruction. During the renovation, its territory increased to 86,000 square meters, and three more galleries were added to the exhibition.
Today, the museum hosts around 15 temporary exhibitions each year. Its core collection from the 19th and 20th centuries includes works by Giacometti, Rodin and Picasso, as well as paintings, ceramics, jewellery, glass and furniture. It also hosts performances and fashion shows. La Piscine is open from 11am to 6pm Monday through Thursday and until 8pm on Friday. On weekends, the museum is open from 1pm to 8pm. Tickets start at €9.
In addition to La Piscine, there are several other unusual museums in France. Among them is the Paris Sewer Museum. It is located in the tunnels of the working sewer system of Paris. Here visitors can see many models and real sewer machines, as well as learn about the history of the network and the methods of water purification practiced in the city since the time of the ancient Roman settlements.
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Source: news.turizm.ru