K-Celebrities In Another Land: FRANCE

Actors and idols travel much for their work, and sometimes, just as tourists. One of the most visited destinations is Paris, France’s beautiful and famous capital! France is a country with a fascinating history, a lot of castles and old places, and magical spots. Many movies and series are being filmed there, and the same goes for fashion shows and festivals held in France. In this article, we compiled a few famous spots, mostly around Paris, and some other cities where K-Celebs traveled!

Disclaimer: this list does not include every K-Celebrities who visited France. We focused only on those who visit or work in the country, to present some famous landmarks. Concerts are also non-included! 

Without further ado, let’s explore France’s beautiful landscape.

 

Paris

About the place: As Paris doesn’t need to be introduced, we’ll rather give you some facts about the city.

Paris is considered to be one of the most visited places in the world, with over 30 million people visiting it annually. The Louvre Museum is known for displaying Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, but the city also has 8 statues of Liberty. Also, Paris is referred to as the city of light due to its pioneering efforts in the installation of street lights. Additionally, there’s an underground city known as The Catacombs, which houses over 6 million Parisians’ remains. Although Paris doesn’t have “stop” signs on its roads, it has 450 gardens and parks. Also, the Eiffel Tower was constructed as a temporary structure for about two decades before it would have been eventually demolished. After seeing the number of people who visited the tower, it was decided to keep it. 

The celebrities below went to a lot of different spots in the city, so we include them in this section and we focused on specifics parts of the city later.

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K-Celebrities who went there: TVXQ / ASTRO’s Cha EunWoo  / Girls’ Generation / BTS’ V / Sandara Park / Dreamcatcher / SHINee 

 

1. Eiffel Tower

About the place: Before it was named the Eiffel Tower, it was referred to as the “300m Tower” in 1889. In 1949, French television made a technological leap forward by installing a new antenna that allowed it to broadcast two programs at the same time. On March 15, 2022, the tower reached its peak of 330 meters thanks to a new antenna. During the 1930s, when the tower was approaching its 50th birthday, various nicknames for the structure were introduced in the media. Some of these included “the Tall Lady,” “The Tall Beautiful Lady,” and “the Old Iron Lady.” However, the most popular nickname was and is still “The Iron Lady”. Since, it is the symbol of France, like the N Seoul Tower is to South Korea. 

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K-Celebrities who went there: aespa / BLACKPINK’s Rosé / GOT7’s Mark Tuan / BTS’ V

 

2. Arc de Triomphe

About the place: The Arc de Triomphe was constructed in 1806 in honor of Napoleon I’s Great Army. This monument, which is inspired by the ancient arches, has the names of various generals and soldiers who fought in the Revolution and the First Empire. It also has a tomb containing the remains of an unknown soldier. The terrace of this structure offers a unique view of the famous Champs Élysées, known as the most beautiful street in the world. Although it was originally constructed as a monument during the monarchy, the Arc de Triomphe carries a deeper meaning due to the people’s liberation during the 1789 Revolution. 

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K-Celebrities who went there: T-ARA

 

3. Champs Elysées

About the place: The “Arc de Triomphe” and the “Place de la Concorde” are both located along the famed Champs Elysées, which is a 1.2-mile-long avenue in Paris. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful commercial streets in the world. The name of the street comes from Greek mythology, which refers to the resting places of dead heroes and Greek gods. The area is known for its cultural attractions, such as movie theaters, exhibition venues, and restaurants. It is also a popular spot for nightlife in Paris. The variety of stores that can be found along the avenue will keep everyone entertained.

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4. Trocadéro

About the place: The green space, which spans 10,000 square meters, is located near the Eiffel Tower and offers a breathtaking view of the city. It is also a place to admire to various sculptures, such as the golden statues of animals, and even the famous Warsaw fountains. Culture can also be found at the Trocadéro, with its museums, aquarium, and theater.

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5. La Seine

About the place: The banks of La Seine in Paris, which is the main river that cuts the city in half, have been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. Some of the most prominent landmarks that can be found along the river are the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame, the City Hall, and the Bibliotheque François Mitterrand. The construction of the banks started in 1322, and today, the authorities in Paris are now restricting car access for pedestrians. 

K-Celebrities who went there: BLACKPINK’s JiSoo

 

6. Pont Alexandre III

About the place: The Pont Alexandre III, which is a prominent bridge in Paris, was inaugurated during the 1900 Universal Exposition. It spans the Seine and is about 45 meters wide and was built to commemorate the signing of the Franco-Russian Alliance of 1892. It features four columns that support gold-plated bronze statues. It will be used during the 2024 Paris Olympics for several events.

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7. Pont Neuf

About the place: Known as the oldest stone bridge in Paris, the Pont Neuf was constructed from 1578 to 1607. It was named “New Brigde” to distinguish it from older bridges that were lined on both sides of La Seine. This structure, which has 384 mysterious and cynical mascarons, is regarded as a historical monument. A major restoration was carried out in 2007 to celebrate the bridge’s 400th anniversary. 

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8. Pigalle

About the place: Pigalle is a district in the capital that is known for its vibrant nightlife. One of the most popular places in the area is the cabaret known as the “Moulin Rouge”. It was opened in 1889 and quickly became one of the most famous cabarets in the world. The success of the establishment was attributed to the French cancan, formerly known as the quadrille dance. The show features a 40-ton aquarium, five pythons, and six horses. The costumes and sets are made by French artisans. More than that, the various elements used in the production are hand-made.

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9. Hotel The Bristol

About the place: In 1923, Hippolyte Jammet purchased the former property of Jules de Castellane. His goal was to transform it into a luxury hotel. The hotel was named Le Bristol in honor of Bishop Frederick Hervey, who was a prominent eighteenth-century traveler and 4th Earl of Bristol. In 1940, Le Bristol was established as the home of the American Embassy. Due to its proximity to the area’s renowned fashion industry, Le Bristol became a popular location for photographers and celebrities, mostly fashion designers. 

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Château Bourron in Bourron-Marlotte

About the place: The charming Chteau de Bourron is located near the town of Fontainebleau, which is 70 kilometers south of Paris. This castle, which is characterized by its brick and stone style, is surrounded by two small pavilions that were constructed during the 17th century. It’s also a historical monument. France is famous for its beautiful castle all over the country, you should definitely have a look at them! 

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K-Drama shot there: “Shopping King Louie“

 

Asnières-Sur-Seine

About the place: The town of Asnires has a distant history. During the medieval era, it was known as a place where donkey breeders could raise their animals. Unfortunately, during the Hundred Years War, the population of this region almost disappeared. It was only until Louis XIV’s reign that the rural area started to develop again. Many artists, such as Van Gogh, have chosen this area as their inspiration.

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K-Celebrities who went there: SHINee’s TaeMin

 

Cannes

About the place: Cannes is famously known for its festival. It is an international film festival taking place every year in Cannes for twelve days during the second half of May. However, many things can be done in this city, perfect for people who are passionate about various types of activities, such as sailing and diving. In addition, you can discover the first underwater eco-museum in France and the Mediterranean Sea.

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K-Celebrities who went there: Song HyeKyo / 2NE1

 

Bonus : K-Drama “The Package” spots

This drama follows a Korean tour guide in France and her customers, which will lead the characters to travel across the North of the country in the region of Normandie. Have a look at their main stops!

 

1. Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a granite formation located in the North of France In 708, the archangel Michael asked Saint-Aubert, the bishop of Avranches, to build a sanctuary in his name. A community of Benedictines then established itself in 966 there, by building an abbey. After the French Revolution, the monks left the abbey and were forced to move out. During the Second World War, the area was occupied by the Germans but was luckily spared during the war, and in 1979, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

2. Honfleur

The town of Honfleur is known for its unique style of architecture, which is characterized by its slate-covered houses. It was also depicted by artists such as Claude Monet and Eugene Boudin. The area’s development during the 9th century was linked to the Vikings’ settlement and the Scandinavian invasions. The 14th century was a time of great military activity in the area, as it played a significant role during the Hundred Years War. During this period, the port of Honfleur was occupied by the English from 1357 to 1361, and it was taken over again from 1365 to 1366. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Honfleur developed a trading relationship with other countries, such as Canada, the West Indies, and the Azores.

 

3. Deauville

Located in the French region of Normandy, Deauville is a coastal town that’s known for its various attractions. It’s a luxury resort that’s known for its horse racing, casino, and golf courses. Although it only has about 4,000 permanent residents, it’s regarded as one of the most famous resorts in the world. Some of the prominent French celebrities who live in this area include Michel Sardou and Jean-Paul Belmondo. 

4. Saint-Malo

The port city of Saint-Malo is located in Bretagne, France. It used to be a center for corsairs. The town’s old town is surrounded by high granite walls and among the many things you can visit there, you can find the Quelmer boat cemetery, the Saint-Vincent Cathedral, the tomb of Jacques Cartier, the Solidor Tower, and its beautiful ramparts. 

 

5. Auvers-sur-Oise

And finally, our last stop. This small village was the last resting place of Van Gogh, who spent his final weeks before he died. It is a cultural and historical route that allows one to explore the artist’s work and visit some of the art museums that were established in this area. You can also visit Van Gogh’s house, which was turned into a restaurant, and his tomb. Other notable artists such as Camille Pissarro and Paul Cézanne lived in this area.

 

Have you ever traveled to France? If so, what were your favorite spots? Let us know in the comment below!