it used to be a capital city for wool , cotton and textile industries , the headquarters of LA REDOUTE ; its history is very rich and the architecture splendid , but now as everywhere in france , industries, factories and all kinds of companies have escaped from france , fearing a strong communist revolution which is still threatening france and hundreds of strikes which have ruined the economy ; now the city is full of unemployed people and illegal immigrants ; unfortunately we hear of Roubaix on the News , not because of its marvellous architecture and history , but because of riots and burning cars |