The small town of Cassel, the highest point in Flanders, majestically overlooks the Flemish plain from its height of 176 metres.
The city has a rich past, from the first Celtic inhabitants to Louis XIV, who definitively annexed part of Flanders in 1677.
During the battle of Ypres in the First World War, Marshal Foch held his headquarters here. From this past, it has kept its structure as a walled town, with its narrow streets, collegial church, old town houses and windmill, which still produces flour.
In the 17th and 18th century, there were over 3,000 windmills in Flanders. Most were built out of wood and were on a pivot. They were used to grind wheat and dry out the marshes. Some mills have been restored and still manufacture oil and flour.
So do not forget to visit the Casteel Meulen in Cassel, you will leave the museum with a bag of flour produced in the mill.
Plant enthusiasts will be delighted to visit the colourful and scented parks and gardens in Flanders. An invitation to discover the botanical, cultural and historical wealth of our heritage.
One of these gardens, is the Mont des Récollets in Cassel. It shelters an impressive Flemish garden which has been granted the "Remarkable Garden" label by the Ministry for culture. Plants are classified by themes linked to history: Renaissance, traditional 19th century gardens, etc.
This garden is not the only one. Please visit our site to get more information.
Flanders is full of places that testify to the wealth of Flemish art. In a fabulous building, you will be taken by the originality of the objects and the works exhibited in the Musée départemental de Flandre in Cassel.
These small traditional old-style bistrots are warm and welcoming places in which you can feel at home. They are perfect surroundings in which to sample either typical regional dishes. You can also initiate yourselves into the pleasures of traditional Flemish games.
