French Work Boots

Location:
France, Mauleon

Fete d'Espadrille

By peter toledo

FRENCH WORK BOOTS?

August 15th is one of the Major National days of Holiday in France.

Yes, its true, the French have more than their fair share of days off, but today we head off to visit a fete that celebrates a sandal that started life as a Miners boot.

In the mid 19th century the first Basque Espadrilles were produced in the Soule region, and were mainly sent to the Miners in the North of France, and with a life span of only one week they could possibly be the first disposable work boot.

Today, as we enter the town square , to the sound of a traditional Basque Band, we discover a whole Factory has been transplanted and is in full swing outside the town hall.

Churning out the classic Espadrilles to order, the workers and machines produce the whole product, from coiling the Jute rope to sewing the Canvass uppers.

All arround us mini towers of flat Espadrilles are piling up three pairs by three.

The Espadrille is a fine example of a design classic that has evolved over time to provide a simple, stylish comfortable and cool solution to Summer Footwear.

Having coiled the rope into a foot shaped sole, it is clamped sewn and then placed in a Vulcanizing press.

Rubber granules are then put into the heated moulds and the rope base is fused to the rubber sole.

The use of Selvedge on the uppers is the key to their natural comfort. Woven in the same town thin rolls of loosely woven canvas provide the maximum finisned edge, enabling the finished product to not need uncomfortable hems or seams.

There are no Left or Right feet, due to the natural stretch in the canvass.

In a myriad of colours and traditional stripes a large percentage of Frances output comes from this one small region. They are worn as a matter of course by dancers, strong men , pelota players and beach goers alike.

We take a beer from an open bar and watch the strong men toss bails of hay over a bar the height a pole vaulter would be proud of.

All around local produce is for sale, Jurancon wine,Fois Gras,Axoa (veal mince) and jumpers made from the wool of the Brebis Sheep that also yield the local cheese.

Monique is the Queen of the Fete, and also owner of a factory. Chainsmoking, she oversees her workers sewing uppers to soles on ancient converted sewing machines.

She is a tough woman, wearing the traditional peasant maid costume, winning the battle to keep a business going that should have long gone eastwards, with good humour and a work ethic not often associated with the Country.

Above all ,as we leave the fete with our new Espadrilles, we are left to woner about this totally natural product that is a timeless classic.

With todays slimmer fit they are a welcome change to the flip flop.

They are eco friendly and probably will champion again when the polluting crocs day is done.

Further Information

Other helpful information: Take a rain coat