Every country and its people have their specific images for most Koreans. For example, many Koreans think Japanese are polite and frugal and Americans are open-minded. Especially, Koreans have a fantasy about France that it is a romantic country because it is famous for its food, art works, and fashion industry. Do you know that you can feel the ‘romance in the air’ of France in Korea? That is Seorae Village! This village is known as France in Korea because the French School of Seoul is located there, making up about half of the French residents in Korea. As a result, walking along the road, you can find many things that make you think about France. Recently, it has become well-known as an area where many celebrities live. Now, take a bus or subway train and travel to Seorae Village: “Little France of Korea.”
The Way to Seorae Village:
9th Line HeukSuk Station- 9th Line Shin Banpo Station
Places of Interest:
1. National Library of Korea
You may have used many libraries in your life such as a public library in your town and at the university. If you like going to the library, CAH recommends you to visit the National Library and if you don’t like it, we also recommend it for you because you will love it after you visit there. It is one of the biggest libraries in Korea. It has a massive book and electronic material collection. You can enjoy reading books in a pleasant and comfortable environment. At the same time, you can also go on a picnic at the library because it has a beautiful lawn-like park with benches in front of the library’s gate. You need an ID card to use the library by making a daily membership card or 2-year membership card. At first, when you enter the library, you should leave your belongings in a locker and put something you want to carry in a transparent bag provided. You may be surprised at and depressed by the fact that it doesn’t offer a lending service in order to safeguard the library’s collection. However, it allows you to read and to find books that you want whenever you go without any worries such as, ‘What if someone else already borrowed it?’ If you visit the library website and search for the materials you want in advance, you will be able to use the library more effectively.
Location: From the 5th entrance of the Express Bus Terminal Station, walk about 15 minutes.
Contact: 02-535-4142
Business Hours: 09:00~18:00, Night Library 18:00~22:00; Closed every second and forth Monday and on legal holidays
2. Montmartre Park
In keeping with its nickname "Little France of Korea,” there is a park in Seorae Village named after Montmartre, which is the highest point in Paris. The park is very close to the National Library of Korea so you can take a walk in the park after you read books. Near the entrance of the park, you can see a replica of the Eiffel Tower. Although it is not as beautiful as the real one is and it is much smaller, it reminds you of Paris. Walking along a path, you can read lyrics of French songs and poems such as Sensation and Le Pont Mirabeau. In addition, Montmartre Park has a special silkworm-shaped bridge. There is a story about this bridge that if someone makes a wish crossing the bridge, the wish comes true. You can see Namsan Tower on the bridge. If you are lucky, you can meet rabbits that live in the park. Let’s take a walk in the park imaging we are walking at the Montmartre in Paris.
Location: Near the National Library of Korea
Contact: 02-2155-6860
3. Gallery Toast
Sayee-gil in Bangbae-dong is one of the hottest streets in Korea following Garosu-gil. There are many galleries on the road. Gallery Toast is the first gallery that is located on that road. It regularly holds various art project events with young artists, such as still drawing and rediscovery of famous paintings. Therefore, it has been a gallery, like a window through which artists and visitors can look at each other and communicate through art work. You can appreciate the unique art projects of young artists for free! Moreover, you can buy some of them at the gallery. Why don’t you visit Gallery Toast? Don’t miss the chance to see the art work, which is hotter than hot toast!
Location: Banbaero 42 Avenue, Seocho-gu,
Contact: 02-532-6460
Admission: Free
Business Hours: Tuesday ~ Friday 11:00~18:00, Sundays, Holidays 13:00~18:00; Closed on Mondays
Restaurants of Interest:
1. Banes Carne
Banes Carne is a Mexican restaurant. You may wonder why CAH recommends a Mexican restaurant in Seorae Village, which is famous as the “Little France of Korea.” Of course, it will be a perfect course according to our theme if we have lunch in a French restaurant. However, most of them are too expensive for students. Therefore, CAH suggests Banes Carne as a wonderful alternative to French food. You can taste exotic dishes at a more reasonable price than French dishes. Recently, burritos (a kind of Mexican food), have gained popularity among many young Korean people as a convenient meal. However, most burrito shops sell burritos which have been modified for the Korean taste. Don’t you want to try the real taste of Mexico? You can have an authentic Mexican burrito at Banes Carne. Moreover, it has diverse Mexican food apart from burritos such as tacos and quesadillas. You may be afraid of trying unfamiliar food, but I recommend you to have a bite! One bite is enough to let you know about a brand new world of taste.
Location: Iljin Building 1st Floor, Seorae-ro 13, Seocho-gu
Contact: 02-533-9414
Business Hours: 11:00~22:00
Price: Burritos 10,500 won, Taco 8500 won, Quesadilla 9500 won
2. Le DOLCI 1946
If you have a meal of Mexican dishes, which is somewhat spicy, the desserts followed by the meal should be something sweet to soothe your stomach. Just a 5- minute walk from Banes Carne will take you to a dessert café named Le DOLCI 1946. It was made by BINDI dessert which is famous Italian dessert company. Therefore, it has a different factor from any other dessert cafes in that it provides the same desserts as in Italy. You can enjoy various kinds of bread, cakes, and beverages in this café. Although every dessert is sweet and fresh, the recommended menu is a cake named Delight of Lemons. You can savor the sweetness of the cream and the refreshing smell of lemons all at the same time. It is enough to make you smile. If you have many assignments and work to do now, why don’t you eat a piece of cake? It can help you to make them a piece of cake!
Price: Green tea 5500 won, Delight of Lemons 5500 won
Location: Sapyeongdaero 26gil-7, Seocho-gu
Contact: 02-537-7070
Business Hours: 9:00~23:00
If you want to feel the romantic mood of France, Seorae Village can be a wonderful place for you. Let’s read books you want to read, take a walk in Montmartre Park and appreciate artists’ works, in addition to tasting exotic dishes and desserts in Seorae Village. With a much cheaper price than a plane ticket, you can relax and refresh yourself. Why don’t you give a gift to yourself? You work hard during the weekdays. One day off will make enough energy to return to your daily life and to complete your daily work again!