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In Menorca, the least known of the Balearic Islands, the making of shoes and sandals has been a tradition since the end of the 19th century.
Who would have thought at the time that the most well-known model of the island today would be the one created by a peasant!
In the 1950s, Minorca was isolated due to its support of the Republicans during the Spanish Civil War. It was in this context that a local farmer had the idea of making sandals that were durable, practical, comfortable, and suitable for the hot season. He opened the front of the sandal and added a back strap to let the foot breathe. Running short on materials, he shaped the sole from a used tractor tire.
In the 1960s, the people of Minorca adopted these sandals, and the island’s shoemakers began producing them on demand.
It was only in the 1970s that the first workshops opened their doors and started making avarcas, the name given to these sandals by the Minorcans. From then on, other Balearic inhabitants and the first tourists took them home in their suitcases. French tourists, in turn, renamed them “minorquines.”
A family-run, traditional workshop
In the family that owns the workshop where Minorquines are made, the love of shoes goes back to 1929. Tired of the hard work in the fields, the grandfather decided in the early 1920s to try his luck in the city. He quickly found work in the shoe industry and, in 1929, started making custom shoes.
His two sons joined him in the small workshop as soon as they were old enough. In 1965, the eldest son, who had inherited the traditional shoe workshop, recognized the potential of the avarcas. At the time, they were only made by hand in very small quantities. His decision was made: he would dedicate his life to the avarcas.
To increase production, he subcontracted work in Minorca and on the mainland, applying the manufacturing methods and quality standards taught by his father. Until the end of his life, he personally inspected each pair before it was shipped to stores.
Then came the 1980s: he began selling his avarcas beyond the shores of Menorca. He traveled to Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera, Catalonia, Valencia, and other regions of the Iberian Peninsula.
He also introduced new modifications to improve comfort and ensure an impeccable fit. Responding to the demand for a lighter avarca, he designed a rubber sole and expanded the range of colors and leathers available.
Success soon followed.
Since then, the Menorcan sandals have conquered Spain… An ironic twist of history: the royal family wears them every summer!
Puis viennent les années 80 : il commence à vendre ses avarcas au-delà des rivages minorquins. Il voyage à Majorque, Ibiza, Formentera, en Catalogne, à Valence ainsi que dans d’autres régions de la péninsule ibérique. Il apporte également de nouvelles modifications afin d’améliorer le confort et d’assurer un maintien irréprochable. Il répond à la demande d’une avarca plus légère en imaginant une semelle en gomme et propose une palette plus étendue de teintes et de cuirs. Le succès est au rendez-vous.
Depuis, les minorquines ont conquis l'Espagne... Pied de nez à l'histoire : la famille royale en porte chaque été !
During her many stays in Menorca and Mallorca, Anne, the French creator of Minorquines, decided to embark on the adventure of this iconic sandal. She wondered: why are avarcas not known beyond Spain?
When she discovered a family-run workshop in Menorca, she was immediately captivated by the craftsmanship and the story passed down through generations.
In 2012, she founded Minorquines, determined to share this tradition with the rest of the world while adding her own contemporary touch.
Season after season, Anne reinvents colors, materials and shapes, while always remaining faithful to the spirit of the original sandal. Thanks to her, avarcas now travel far beyond the shores of Menorca, blending heritage with modernity.
In 2023, a new milestone was reached with the opening of the very first Minorquines boutique… in Mallorca.
If you happen to be in Artà, on the East Coast, Anne and François will be delighted to welcome you and introduce you to the latest Minorquines sandals, along with their curated selection of ready-to-wear, home décor, art and fine foods. You will find many local and French products, as well as unique objects discovered during their travels and at trade fairs.
A Minorquines house full of discoveries… in the heart of Mallorca.
Livraison gratuite dès 100€ d’achat
Créé en France, fabriqué en Espagne
Échange gratuit