3 Flanders' villages

Travelled : 42km
Stay : St.Venant-aire, free parking and services including electricity,  along canal. N50.62570 E2.54843
Visited : Cassel, Aire sur la Lys

After a quiet night we ventured off to Cassel perched on top of a 176m hill making it the highest point in this part of Flanders thus offering some great views. On its peak stands a wooden windmill the only one left of about 20. There was also a statue of Foch due to him having his head quarters here. 

After Mark listened to the Bombers we had a stroll around the main square which seemed popular as there were lots of people in the various restaurants.

Now we know we are in France...carrying a baguette for lunch.

  Our next destination was Aire sur la Lys where we managed to park in the centre of town due to it being a Sunday.

 We had a peak inside St.Pierre Church which had painted ceilings and walls but unfortunately they were in need of repair. 

Canals were important in the past for their industry.

Closer to the square there was a lovely Flemish Renaissance style building known as the Bailliage and originally guardrooms. 

It had an impressive Town Hall.

 A Bell Tower classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

 From here we made our way to an aire situated on a canal in St.Venant a town that had suffered much destruction during WWI. We did our obligatory walk through town but nothing was open, not even the church! It seemed everyone was enjoying the nice weather along the canal and gearing up for the Euro 16 final tonight. ..aller la France!