The Nights of Luminous Arts - Illuminated Journey in Roubaix
The Cirkwi brief
Imagine wandering through the streets of Roubaix as the day fades, where the city's iconic monuments are reborn under the mesmerizing glow of artistic lights. This is not just any stroll; this is the Roubaix's Illuminated Art Nights experience, brought to life by Roubaix Tourisme. For six months, every year, this route transforms the city into a canvas of light and shadows, celebrating the harmony of light, art, and architecture. It’s an invitation to see the familiar in a new, enchanting light. Crafted to inspire and accessible without charge, this event is a poetic symphony for the senses.
Technical Insights and Route Data
The journey spans a distance of approximately 1.17 kilometers, starting at the historic Rue Pasteur. With an elevation fluctuating between 29 to 36 meters, the stroll presents a modest altitude variation, resulting in a slight decline of 4 meters. This gentle topography ensures an easy walk for participants of all ages, making it accessible and enjoyable for a broad audience. Factoring in the total distance and elevation changes, this route is tailored for leisurely exploration on foot.
Practical Tips for Every Season
Regardless of when you visit, Roubaix’s art nights are a spectacle to behold. However, to maximize your experience, consider the season. In winter, bundle up warmly as the chill can enhance the luminous displays. Spring and autumn offer milder weather, ideal for a comfortable stroll. During these seasons, carry a light jacket for the evenings. Remember, the event is open-air, so dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes. Safety-wise, stay on marked paths and be mindful of the night-time environment.
Roubaix: Heart of Art and History
Roubaix, nestled in the Hauts-de-France region, stands as a testimony to the industrial era’s grandeur, now repurposed into a vibrant cultural and artistic hub. Historically, this city was a pivotal textile center, earning the nickname "City of a Thousand Chimneys." Its transformation into a creative nexus is epitomized by La Piscine Museum, a jewel of Art Deco architecture, and focal point for The Roubaix Illuminated Art Nights. This event not only illuminates the city's architectural heritage but also weaves Roubaix's rich history and contemporary creativity into a unique tapestry of light.
Weather Guide for Roubaix Visitors
Roubaix, situated in Northern France, experiences a temperate oceanic climate. Winters are cool and summers mild, with rainfall distributed relatively evenly throughout the year. For those planning to partake in The Roubaix Illuminated Art Nights, the best visiting times are late spring or early autumn. During these periods, the weather is pleasantly mild, enhancing your night-time stroll beneath the artful illuminations. Come prepared with appropriate attire to enjoy the outdoor exhibition comfortably, regardless of the season.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Aux Sources de l'Art déco - La Piscine
FR - Une création du duo Camille Gross et Olivier Magermans qui revisite différents courants artistiques à travers le prisme roubaisien, Art nouveau, Art déco ou encore art contemporain, sur la façade de la "plus belle piscine de France", à savoir le musée d'art et d'industrie La Piscine. Durée : 12 minutes EN - A creation by the duo Camille Gross and Olivier Magermans that revisits different artistic movements through the Roubaix prism of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and contemporary art, on the façade of the "most beautiful swimming pool in France", the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie La Piscine. Running time: 12 minutes
De la plante au tissu - L'Ensait
FR - Sur la façade de l'ENSAIT (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Industries Textiles), admirez une projection lumineuse crée par Lumière de Verre (Julien Guiller et Stéphane Petit) La lumière de verre est un procédé d'illumination inédit obtenu à partir d'une diapositive de verre. Réalisée à la main, cuite à très haute température afin d'obtenir relief et coloration, elle est le fruit d'un long travail d'artisanat d'art. La Lumière de Verre s'inscrit dans la tradition historique et culturelle de la lanterne magique. Apparu au 17ème siècle, ce premier appareil de projection fonctionnait avec une lampe à huile ou à pétrole qui éclairait une diapositive de verre peinte. Durée : En continu EN - On the façade of ENSAIT (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Industries Textiles), admire a light projection created by Lumière de Verre (Julien Guiller and Stéphane Petit). Lumière de Verre is an innovative lighting process based on a glass slide. Made by hand and fired at very high temperatures to produce relief and colour, it is the result of a long process of artistic craftsmanship. Lumière de Verre is part of the historical and cultural tradition of the magic lantern. First introduced in the 17th century, this early projection device used an oil or paraffin lamp to light a painted glass slide. Duration: Continuous
M. Chat
FR - Particularité de cette création mapping du studio Holymage : elle anime une œuvre de street-art créé pour l'occasion, une première à ce jour en France ! Le célèbre matou malicieux créé par l'artiste Thoma Vuille alias Monsieur Chat, qu'on peut admirer sur les murs du monde entier, nous entraîne dans un voyage à travers le patrimoine roubaisien. Durée : 10 minutes EN - The special feature of this mapping creation by the Holymage studio is that it animates a work of street art created for the occasion, a first to date in France! The famous mischievous tomcat created by artist Thoma Vuille, aka Monsieur Chat, who can be admired on walls the world over, takes us on a journey through Roubaix's heritage. Running time: 10 minutes
Reflet - Église Saint-Martin
FR - À l'image de la ville de Roubaix, l'innovation créative est dans l'ADN des Nuits des Arts lumineux, avec ici des artistes en devenir, puisque cette œuvre est le résultat du workshop de 5 jours d'étudiants d'écoles roubaisiennes ARTFX, Piktura, ESSAT organisé lors du Vidéo-Mapping Festival 2023. Durée : 5 minutes EN - Just like the city of Roubaix, creative innovation is in the DNA of the Nuits des Arts lumineux, with artists in the making here, as this work is the result of a 5-day workshop by students from Roubaix schools ARTFX, Piktura and ESSAT, organised during the Vidéo-Mapping Festival 2023. Running time: 5 minutes
Sur le fil et le point - Hôtel de Ville
FR - Cette œuvre est une création inédite de Yann Nguema, un artiste plusieurs fois récompensé lors de festivals à travers le monde. Sa particularité ? Il met les mains lui-même dans l'algorithme ! Le fait de coder lui-même les images permet à Yann Nguema de créer des animations extrêmement subtiles, où chaque pierre du bâtiment redessinée semble s'animer indépendamment : quand l'architecture devient dentelle de lumière ! Durée : 10 minutes EN - This work is an original creation by Yann Nguema, an artist who has won several awards at festivals around the world. What makes it special? He puts his own hands into the algorithm! By coding the images himself, Yann Nguema is able to create extremely subtle animations, in which each stone of the redesigned building seems to come to life independently: when architecture becomes a lace of light! Running time: 10 minutes
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