Yangcheon-gu Wraps Up 2026 Paris Park Cultural Festival in Grand Style

Yangcheon-gu held the 2026 Paris Park Cultural Festival at Paris Park on Saturday, marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and France.

The park was transformed for the day into a slice of Paris, draped in the atmosphere of the late 19th-century "Belle Époque" — an era when French culture and the arts flourished. Masterwork reproductions and French-style installations filled the grounds, drawing a steady stream of residents who came with family, partners and friends.

The festival kicked off at 12:30 p.m. with a full slate of programs to see, eat and enjoy. An outdoor bistro served French cuisine alongside K-food, while a wine festival showcased domestic and international labels. Residents of Mok 5-dong ran a neighborhood flea market, keeping visitors lingering throughout the afternoon.

Families with children found plenty to keep them busy. The "Yangcheon Atelier" zone offered hands-on cultural experiences and busking performances, while the "Mok 5 Land" play area and the "Mok 5 Shion World" water fountain zone — featuring musical and floor fountains — rang with children's laughter throughout the day.

As evening fell, the festival reached its peak. At 6:30 p.m., Noble Art Opera Company staged a special outdoor concert-opera performance of "Carmen" on a purpose-built stage inside the park to mark the 140th anniversary of Korea-France ties. Audiences savored the familiar melodies and the spectacle of the open-air production, soaking in the romance of an autumn night.

Yangcheon-gu District Mayor Lee Gi-jae and the senior counselor of the French Embassy in Seoul attended the event, touring the festival grounds and watching the performance alongside residents to mark the occasion.

"To celebrate the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations, we made this year's festival richer and more varied than ever — including the new venture of an outdoor concert-opera, 'Carmen,' so residents could feel the spirit of France up close," District Mayor Lee said. "We will continue creating diverse events that bring culture into people's everyday lives, making Yangcheon-gu a place overflowing with things to see and enjoy."