You might be confused as you walk down this street, and even think you left Seoul for another city. The buildings seem different, more in a European style? And the shop fronts are written in French?
No doubt, you arrived in Seorae Maeul, the French neighbourhood of Seoul.
If you are a French culture lover, French food lover or just interested in the French lifestyle. Seorae village is the place to be.
Initially, this whole neighbourhood exists because the French High School of Seoul : lycée français de Séoul (in French).
As many children and teenagers were enrolled in these schools, the French expats started to move in around the area and slowly, a French community was born.
While the community was being created, loads of small French-culture-related shops were opening. And today it is quite the norm to walk throughout tons of cafés and French shops.
Located in the south river, near Gangnam, Seorae Village is a very small and charming neighbourhood. Something probably surprising at first would be the appearance of the buildings. Indeed, French architecture is deeply rooted in the landscape, and you will find some cute balconies with metallic fences, a typical front in France and even metallic portals.
The area is really pleasant with a calm atmosphere, very floral streets and many aesthetic shops. Talking about shops, you may be very interested by the numerous cafés present in the whole neighbourhood, and thankfully we have some recommendations for you.
Bakery Local
88-1 Banpo-dong Seocho-gu Seoul
Located on the main road of Seorae Maeul, this french café/ bakery offers a wide range of French pastries, from the most iconics croissants and pains au chocolat to the less known madeleines. You can try them alongside a coffee in a very chic and calm shop and properly eat your little treats. They even have a terrace outside to take a sunbath whenever the sun is out. Perfect for a spring or summer date with your friends, partener of family.
Then, we have my personal favourite that I would 100% recommend if you are looking for a real French taste immersion.
Le pain Asser
97-2 Banpo-dong Seocho-gu Seoul
Still on the main road of the neighbourhood, this café/ bakery (once again) had everything you didn’t know you needed before. If you are looking for a real French taste immersion, this is the café you need to try. Every pastry possible, even the fanciest ones and the holy grail : the French baguette. The basic pastries are unsurprisingly very good and the baguette is delicious, they have the exact same taste as the french ones. Highly approved by a French girl.
Moreover, the café’s environment is very cosy with many sofas. The kitchen is visible through glass windows which makes the place even warmer.
If you are desperately looking for a really good baguette, this bakery is a very good choice.
However, you still miss two important items to become a real French person : wine and cheese. But don’t worry, Soerae Maeul gets your back. You may cross by many wine shops such as Take your red tongue or Tour du vin in which you could buy some French wine bottles , the French beverage by excellence.
And finally, what would be a French person without its beloved cheese. That’s why you must stop by Le Meunier, the shop of a famous French cheesemaker who had been awarded Meilleur ouvrier de France, a very prestigious prize.
In this shop, you will find a large variety of cheese, high quality products made in France. Lot of these cheeses are specialties from certain regions in France, you will then get the chance to discover more about regional specialities.
In a nutshell, you will find a harmonic place in Seorae Village. French spirit is very present there which guarantees you a direct flight to the discovery of this amazing country while staying in Korea. The mood in this neighbourhood contrasts with the dynamism of Seoul downtown, its calm and slow pace will give you the opportunity to take a deep breath and enjoy the surroundings.
