Roubaix is accessible by TER from Lille Flandres (about 15 minutes). The station is a stone’s throw from the city centre.

Metro line 2 towards C.H. Dron – Roubaix Grand-Place stop. Tramway from Lille – Gare Jean-Lebas or Roubaix Eurotéléport stop. Find all the information on urban and suburban transport Using soft modes of transport in Roubaix

From Lille: 20 minutes on the urban expressway (A22).

Paris-Roubaix The most legendary cycling race in the World

Paris–Roubaix is one of the most celebrated cycling races on earth.

Nicknamed “The Hell of the North”, this mythical one-day classic draws the world’s greatest champions — and tens of thousands of passionate fans — to the cobbled roads of northern France every spring.

Dust, adrenaline, raw emotion: Paris–Roubaix is far more than a race. It’s a living legend, and you can be part of it, right here in the Métropole Européenne de Lille.

Mark your calendars Sunday 29 March Special Paris-Roubaix road cycling day

Come and celebrate the Paris-Roubaix cycle route with your family or friends and enjoy free events for all!

Where is the event? In the Lille Metropolitan Area (Hem – Villeneuve-d’Ascq-Roubaix) and in Hainaut (Valenciennes-Wallers-Arenberg-Templeuve-en-Pévèle)

Free events:

Family or sports cycling routes
Discovery of emblematic sites
Treasure hunts
Braderie
Bike-smoothies
etc.
4 cycling routes to try out :

On the road to the Arenberg cobbles! From Valenciennes to Wallers-Arenberg
The Trouée experience in Wallers-Arenberg
Totémus® treasure hunt, fun loop in Templeuve-en-Pévèle
On the road to victory! From Roubaix to Pévèle

In the Lille area :
– The Musée de Plein Air in Villeneuve d’Ascq welcomes you from 10am to 6pm for a day of activities;
– La Ferme du Partage in Hem from 9.15am to 12pm for a gourmet refreshment with a tour of the farm and tasting of local juices;

What is it? Paris-Roubaix?

A race unlike any other Founded in 1896, Paris–Roubaix is one of cycling’s five “Monuments” — the most prestigious one-day races in the world. But what sets it apart from all others isn’t just its history.

It’s the cobblestones.

Each year, riders battle through dozens of kilometres of ancient pavés — rough, uneven, century-old stones scattered across the farmland of northern France — before making their triumphant (or battered) entry into the iconic Roubaix Velodrome.

So why “The Hell of the North”? Because nothing about this race is merciful:

Slippery, irregular cobblestones that jar every bone in your body
Legendary sectors like the Trouée d’Arenberg, Mons-en-Pévèle, and the Carrefour de l’Arbre
Unpredictable weather — wind, rain, mud, all fair game
A legendary intensity that has shaped the history of cycling for over a century
Out here, every rider fights as much against the road as against themselves.

2026 Race Dates

Mark your calendars — here are the confirmed dates for the 2026 edition:

Men’s Professional Race — Sunday, 12 April 2026
Paris–Roubaix Challenge (amateur sportive) — Saturday, 11 April 2026
Paris–Roubaix Cyclotourisme (leisure cycling variant) — Sunday, 10 May 2026

The Paris–Roubaix Challenge: ride the Legend yourself

Ever dreamed of racing across the same cobblestones as the pros? The day before the professional race, amateur cyclists take to the pavés for the Paris–Roubaix Challenge — open to all riders, regardless of level.

Choose your distance and your challenge:

70 km — a taste of the Hell
145 km — deep into the legend
170 km — the full experience

All routes finish inside the legendary Roubaix Velodrome. A sporting feat, a journey through history, and a memory that will last a lifetime.

Getting to Roubaix

By train
Roubaix is accessible by TER from Lille Flandres (about 15 minutes). The station is a stone’s throw from the city centre.
By public transport
Metro line 2 towards C.H. Dron – Roubaix Grand-Place stop.
Tramway from Lille – Gare Jean-Lebas or Roubaix Eurotéléport stop.
Find all the information on urban and suburban transport
Using soft modes of transport in Roubaix
By car
From Lille: 20 minutes on the urban expressway (A22).

Where to park ?

Ah, the big question!

Here’s a suggestion of specific car parks:

Grand-Place car park,
Parking de la Piscine (rue des Champs),
Mac Arthur Glen car park (free, close to the course).

Watch out for underground car park closing times. Useful parking apps: Flowbird, EasyPark, Indigo Neo.

Best spots to watch Paris–Roubaix

Watching Paris–Roubaix means feeling the race from the inside — the rumble of the peloton, the crunch of tyres on stone, the roar of the crowd. Here are the top vantage points across the Métropole Européenne de Lille.

1. The “Trouée d’Arenberg” (Arenberg Forest)
The most iconic sector in cycling. A brutal straight of cobblestones, flanked by dense forest, where riders arrive at breathtaking speed. Electric atmosphere, massive crowds, guaranteed shivers. ⚠️ Arrive early — this area fills up fast and access may be regulated.

2. Mons-en-Pévèle
One of the hardest sectors on the entire course. Irregular cobblestones, a leg-breaking gradient, and great visibility over several hundred metres. This is often where the race is broken apart.

3. Carrefour de l’Arbre (Gruson)
The strategic crossroads before the finish — where champions are often made. Perfect for photographs: cobblestones, tight corners, and unbearable tension. A favourite among cycling purists. ⚠️ Limited parking: plan to arrive on foot.

4. Hem — Final cobbled sectors
Just a few kilometres from the Velodrome, the riders are exhausted and everything is still possible. Ideal if you want to combine a cobbled sector with the final sprint into Roubaix.

5. The finish at the Roubaix Velodrome
The iconic moment. The triumphant entry onto the track, the final sprint, the roar of the crowd. Giant screens, live entertainment, and a race village make this accessible and unforgettable for all ages. 🎟️ Free entry to most public areas.

6. Quieter sectors for an authentic experience
Want to escape the crowds without missing the action? These lesser-known spots offer an intimate, immersive experience right on the roadside:

Camphin-en-Pévèle
Templeuve
Sars-et-Rosières
Cysoing sector

7. Villages and urban zones along the route
For a more relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with cafés and local life buzzing around the race: Willems, Bouvines, Orchies, Roubaix centre.

Attending Paris-Roubaix is a unique experience, but you need to do a minimum amount of preparation to enjoy it to the full.

Where to stay?

From the heart of Lille to neighbouring towns such as Roubaix, Tourcoing and Villeneuve-d’Ascq, there’s plenty of accommodation within easy reach of the festival venues.

I choose my cosy nest!

Estaminets

In a warm and friendly atmosphere, discover traditional dishes often accompanied by local beers.

What's for dinner?

Heritage Beer

The aim of this label is to enhance the tourist appeal of the region’s craft breweries and to make Lille and its metropolitan area a must-see destination for beer lovers.

Enjoy a beer

What to do in Lille over 2 days

Between two tastings, let yourself be carried away by the energy of the weekend

Lille in 2 days