Seorae Village is a small French enclave in Banpo 4-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, starting from Seorae-ro (next to the Seoul Palace Hotel) by Sapyeong-ro, the southern end of Banpo-daegyo (bridge). It is called the French Village because it is home to hundreds of French people. At first glance, you may not see much difference in the village from common Korean villages because it does not have exotic French style buildings or signboards. However, you can find the real character of the village while going up Seorae-ro slowly.
The 300-meter street from Seorae-ro to Bangbae Middle School at the end of the hill is paved with three colors blocks (red, white, and blue) to symbolize the national flag of France (the Tricolor). Visitors can see signs where French is written with Korean script, such as Attention Ecole (Attention School) and Hopital Ste-Marie (St. Mary's Hospital) and the signboards of "La Seine" or "Le Ciel" with the street name of "Montmartre." When you see blond haired French people wearing berets and buying baguette, you may be fully under the illusion that you are actually in France. The village began to form here in 1985 with the moving of L'Ecole Francaise de Seoul formerly located in Hannam-dong to the area. French people started to gather around the school.
Since the 1990s, as more French corporations including Carrefour (Shopping Mall), TGV, and Renault have advanced into Korea, Seorae Village became animated gradually, and now developed as the place for French people to visit first in Korea. The Seocho-gu government announced that they will create access to Seorae Village as a specialized street where French style culture coexists with businesses. Therefore, the French Village is expected to be reborn as the cultural landmark of Seocho-gu.
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