Espadrilles, popular cloth footwear now worn all over the world, were invented in the Basque Country and Catalonia, and have very humble roots. Before becoming the fashionable summer shoes for French trendy girls, all the way in the 1400s they were common peasant footwear. At the time, wealthy people wore leather shoes. As Basque soldiers fought for Catalan independence, together with the working-class people they were fighting for, they were wearing their traditional espadrilles. In time, espadrilles became popular across the globe, now worn not only by peasants but by celebrities and presidents. Art of Soule company made espadrille fashionable again in 2008 when they came up with the model that has colors of the popular local rugby team. Then they made them in colors of the our de Fance the All Blacks, Sex Pistols, Paris Saint Germain and other popular names. Today, they are one of the most popular Basque export, far more fashionable than sneaker. Nobody leaves Biarritz without taking at least one pair.

28 Rue Gambetta, 64200 Biarritz, France, Phone: +33-6-87-11-76-07

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