Favorite village of the French in 2018, Cassel (Kassel in West Flemish/Dutch) is located in the department of Nord. With its Flemish allure and its proximity to Lille, it is a remarkable place not to be missed.
Favorite village of the French in 2018, Cassel (Kassel in West Flemish/Dutch) is located in the department of Nord. With its Flemish allure and its proximity to Lille, it is a remarkable place not to be missed.
Several ancient Roman roads still radiate around Kassel today, some of them are still visible on the current road maps! It is the proof that Cassel constituted, at the time, one of the main roads of the north of Gaul, explaining its very rich history.
Destroyed by the Vikings in 880, the city was repeatedly attacked, conquered or ruined because it was, for several centuries, at the heart of the confrontation between France and Spain for the control of this beautiful region. It must be said that with its 176 meters of altitude, the Mont Cassel offered a panoramic view of the whole plain of Flanders (up to 80km around!).
Definitely French since 1678, Cassel keeps from this eventful past of ancient fortifications and remains the highest point of the Mounts of Flanders: a height which offers today to the visitors a magnificent view on a very well preserved heritage.
A visit to Kassel means plunging into the heart of Flemish culture: cobbled streets, traditional houses with their sparrow's-foot gables, restaurants serving traditional dishes... Just by admiring the Grand Place and its buildings (some of which date from the 16th century), you are immersed in the past greatness of the city.
Even today, there is no lack of treasures such as the Museum of Flanders, located in the former castellery or, just 5 minutes walk away, a beautiful Mill still producing flour.
The city's intangible heritage is not to be outdone: its gastronomy is renowned with dishes such as Flemish Carbonnade, Maroilles gratin or Potjevleesch, which you can taste in the heart of an Estaminet, these authentique restaurants, with their retro decoration where the legendary friendliness of the people of the North blossoms.
Cassel also benefits from a UNESCO classification since 2005 for its famous carnivals such as the one in Dunkirk, which everyone knows. Or the Giants of France like Reuze Papa, created in 1827, the oldest of the giants, it gives rhythm to the start and end of the carnivals of the region (twice a year).
Valérie from Comme des Français
---
Want to continue your discovery of the Hauts-de-France?
- The rich heritage of the Heart of Flanders region
- Good addresses of Flemish Estaminets
- A boat ride around the Vauban fortifications at Gravelines
