Cassel, Nord

Cassel Kassel
Commune
Grande Place, Cassel
Coat of arms
Location of Cassel
Cassel Show map of France Cassel Show map of Hauts-de-France
Coordinates: 50°48′02″N 2°29′18″E / 50.8006°N 2.4883°E / 50.8006; 2.4883
Country	France
Region	Hauts-de-France
Department	Nord
Arrondissement	Dunkerque
Canton	Bailleul
Intercommunality	CC Flandre Intérieure
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Dominique Joly[1]
Area 1	12.65 km2 (4.88 sq mi)
Population  (2021)[2]	2,227
• Density	180/km2 (460/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	59135 /59670
Elevation	90 m (300 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Cassel (French pronunciation: [kasɛl]; Dutch: Kassel) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.^[3] Built on a prominent hill overlooking French Flanders, the town has existed since Roman times. It was developed by the Romans into an important urban centre and was the focus of a network of roads, which are still in use today, that converge on the hill. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Cassel became an important fortified stronghold for the rulers of Flanders which was repeatedly fought over before finally being annexed to France in the 17th century. It was the headquarters of Marshal Ferdinand Foch during part of the First World War. In 1940, during the German invasion of France, Cassel was the scene of a fierce three-day battle between British forces (led in part by Major Ronald Cartland, MP) and German forces which resulted in much of the town being destroyed.

The town, which was rebuilt following the war, is a popular destination for visitors to French Flanders. It is renowned for its extensive views from the summit of Mont Cassel and is the location of the Nord department's principal museum of local art, history and folklore. It is also the home of the legendary giants Reuze-Papa and Reuze-Maman, which are paraded in effigy each Easter during the town's annual carnival.