There is a famous national cultural attraction in Seokgyo-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon Metropolitan City. The place is the French Cultural Center called “ENTREPÔT(it means 'warehouse')”.
From the outside, it looks like just a factory building, but surprisingly there are many books, fancy furniture, and accessories to taste France.
When you go inside, you fall into the illusion that you have really entered another space. Many items, like various French books, French-style carpets on the floor, miscellaneous furniture, and small things, bring visitors to a completely different world.
The French Cultural Center in Daejeon was founded 35 years ago. Dr. Chang-gon Jeon took the utmost care as a director 15 years ago, and he dedicated to the development of the French Cultural Center for a long time.
Dr. Chang-gon Jeon, the director of the French Cultural Center, boldly moved to Seokgyo-dong in 2018 in search of a much larger space. Moving to Seokgyo-dong, Dr. Jeon moved the entire library of the French Embassy in Seoul. They have now about 3,000 CDs and DVDs in 13,000 French books. At the opening ceremony of the new building, the French ambassador visited the Daejeon Cityhall and the Daejeon Jung-gu District office to ask for cooperation.
Dr. Jeon explained, “It is the largest French library in Korea.” The French library, located on the second floor along the walls of the Cultural Center, can be easily removed by anyone, making it an excellent window for children to experience a variety of French culture. The French Cultural Center in Daejeon has the only significant independent space, although there are small ones in other cities.
In the case of Daejeon Metropolitan City, many cultural facilities such as Daejeon Museum of Art(대전시립미술관), Daejeon Arts Center(대전예술의전당), Daejeon Municipal Yeonjeong Korean Traditional Music Center(대전연정국악원), Hanbat arboretum(한밭수목원), and Daejeon Science Park(대전 사이언스파크) have rushed to move to the new city center. However, the French Cultural Center moved just the opposite with them. He instead chose a shabby factory building in the old town that is hardly recognized as a cultural facility.
Dr. Jeon said, “It is not easy to do cultural activities in the cement building, and I wanted to do experiments to save the old city with culture.” Also, he mentioned, “If the neighborhood is revitalized as the French Cultural Center comes in, it seems that the meaning of the cultural center is secured.” In the future, the Cultural Center expected that various local workshops would host. The Cultural Center hosts two significant events each year. At the end of March, a food festival will be held where you can taste a variety of French foods from countries such as France, Africa, and the Middle East. It is the day when Francophones from all over the world, including Seoul, gather in Daejeon.
Besides, special music events are held in June. Anyone who loves music can participate, regardless of whether they are professional or amateur. Also, they have the autumn event called, 'the night of Beaujolais nouveau' in November for wine lovers.
The French Cultural Center, ENTREPÔT, keeps spreading the scent of French culture in the old part of Daejeon.
Google Map of Daejeon French Culture Center
Promotional Video of Daejeon French Culture Center
[Source: Daejeon Metropolitan City Offical Youtube Channel]
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