Paris–Roubaix is a one-day professional bicycle road race in northern France near the Belgian frontier. From its beginning in 1896 until 1967 it started in Paris and ended in Roubaix,since 1968 the start city has been Compiègne (about 60 kilometres ) north-east from Paris centre) whilst the finish is still in Roubaix. Famous for rough terrain and cobblestones, it is one of the 'Monuments' or Classics of the European calendar, and contributes points towards the UCI World Ranking. It has been called the Hell of the North.