Tourism: 5 Good Reasons To Visit Cassel In The Hauts De France
A typically Flemish city in the Hauts de France, Cassel was elected Favorite Village of the French in 2018. With its red brick houses, its mill and its breathtaking view of the Flanders plain, this town has an undeniable charm. We have listed for you 5 good reasons to visit Cassel.
1- You can go by train
The first of 5 good reasons to visit Cassel in the Hauts de France is to enjoy an accessible change of scenery.
This typically Flemish city is indeed located 3 hours by car from Paris and 40 minutes from Lille.
Even better, even if you don't have your driver's license or a vehicle, you can get there by train thanks to the TER that connects the town to Lille.
Count 30 minutes of travel time approximately to reach your destination by regional train from Lille.
2- It is a good starting point to discover Flanders
The commune of Cassel in the Nord department and the Hauts de France region is located on a hillock at 176 m above the Flanders plain.
The city is perched on Mount Cassel, one of the seven mountains of Flanders, and offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside.
To enjoy this panorama, go to the top of Mont-Cassel where a lovely wooden windmill dating from the 18th century stands.
It is one of the last mills of this type in operation. Also known as the Castle Mill or Kasteel Meulen, it is the last representative of the 24 mills that once housed the municipality.
3- This destination has a unique heritage
The historical, architectural and cultural heritage of the municipality is also among the 5 good reasons to visit Cassel.
Despite the bombings during the Second World War, this red brick town has an undeniable charm.
Strolling through the city, you can discover its Grand-Place adorned with cobblestones, its old brick houses, as well as the Collegiale Notre-Dame of Flemish Gothic style.
A must-see local treasure is the collection of the Museum of Flanders, which is housed in the Hotel de la Noble Cour, a 16th-century Flemish building.
This departmental museum houses a magnificent collection of Flemish artists and regularly hosts major exhibitions.
Another not-to-be-missed visit is to the garden of the Mont des Récollets labeled a Remarkable garden for its boxwood-lined green rooms.
4- The commune perpetuates festive traditions
Another good reason to visit Kassel is to take part in the events that take place in the town throughout the year.
This town, located not far from the border with Belgium and only a few kilometers from the city of Dunkirk, perpetuates local traditions such as the Mill Festival, which takes place every year on July 14.
But the commune is best known for its Easter Monday carnival. The festivities begin at 6am with the awakening of the drums and the exit of the giants Reuze Papa and Reuze Maman.
This unique festival has been classified as an intangible heritage by Unesco.
5- You can go hiking in the area
The last of the 5 good reasons to visit Kassel is the possibility to go hiking in the surroundings.
This charming northern village is a very convenient starting point for various hikes on marked trails, starting with the tour of Mount Cassel.
Another walk to the Mont des Récollets will allow you to discover the beautiful landscapes of Flanders.
