Seorae Village (서래마을) 서래마을

Seorae Village is located in between Banpo4-dong and Bangbaebun-dong in Seochu-gu, Seoul. Past the Banpo Bridge of Sapyeong-ro road and Palace Hotel along Seorae-ro road and you can see a cluster of luxurious villas.

This was the former location of Ecole Francaise de Seoul, a French school for the France residents who resided here in 1985. There are about 1,000 French citizens residing in Korea (as of 2008 statistics) and about half of them are living in this area. Thus, Seorae Village naturally became a global village much thanks to the strong presence of French citizens in this area. Furthermore, situated geographically near Gangnam and the central business district area, along with natural sites including Yangjae stream and Hangang River Park, makes it a pleasant environment space for all.

Every morning, long lines of cyclists with their bikes can be seen waiting in front of the bakery to buy the freshly baked baguettes. The traditional French bakery makes bread from ingredients that are directly imported from France and thus been a favorite to any French residents living in Korea.

The shops in Seorae Village shops are modest and charming. The street is lined with shops and small restaurants, seeming to have been lifted straight out of Europe. In recent year, Seorae Village has undergone several changes. In every other street found here, a luxurious café and wine bar can be found and if you like to enjoy your meal outdoors, several cafes or restaurants with balcony seats are also available. This is currently one of the most popular areas among the locals and it has a nickname of ‘Little France’.