Minet

Minets, also known as the Minets du Drugstore, were a Parisian youth subculture that originated in the early 1960s. They were primarily young men from affluent backgrounds, who rejected societal norms and embraced English and American cultural influences.

Minets primarily gathered at the Drugstore Publicis on the Champs-Élysées, hence their name. This establishment was an innovation at the time, as it simultaneously functioned as a pharmacy, newsstand, record store, and a late-night restaurant.^[1] The Minets frequented it to read magazines, listen to music, socialize, or simply to be seen.

History[]

"Minets: fake beatniks, dandies who hate everything French – the drugstore gang is above all anti-yéyé." ― Jean Monod in Les Barjots (1968)

Minets (4) — A group of Minets, taken by Henri Cartier-Bresson in Paris, circa 1970.

The "Minets" originated as a distinct youth subculture in Paris during the early 1960s, but the term was coined in 1965. They were Parisian teenagers who rejected French cultural values and instead embraced British culture. They could be found in the more fashionable districts of central Paris, and typically frequented cafes, public spaces, and most notably, the Drugstore Publicis on the Champs-Élysées.

This building in particular was inauguarated in 1958, and introduced a revolutionary concept to Paris, inspired by American drugstores.^[2] It became a popular destination in the area, as it was an one-stop shop where customers could dine until 2 a.m. while also purchasing medicine, gifts, or even a spare shirt.

Beyond fashion, the Minets were huge fans of British popular music and Rhythm and Blues. They listened to bands like The Who, The Beatles, and The Pretty Things, all bands that became popularized internationally during the "British Invasion" era. They also read music magazines such as "Melody Maker". They also tuned into pirate radio stations broadcasting from the United Kingdom, bypassing French radio restrictions.

The Minet subculture was relatively short-lived. It began to decline after the events of May 1968, which began with student protests at universities in Paris, fueled by dissatisfaction with the educational system, social inequalities, and the Vietnam War. These protests quickly escalated into widespread strikes and demonstrations across the country, involving millions of workers and students. Many members of the subculture joined the student protests, activism efforts, or other social movements of the time. The rest of the subculture assimilated back into mainstream bourgeois society.

Fashion[]

The Minets, those anti-Yéyé Parisian youths of 1965, sported a very particular look, with influences from the Mod subculture. Their clothing was a mix of Catholic school uniforms and provincial English style. It was certainly not like the style of Preppy Cambridge students; they liked sturdy and worn clothes, with anything new considered "déclassé" (low-class).

The Minets' style was androgynous and different from the other Parisian trends of the time. They chose classic English pieces, like oxford shirts with button-down collars, which they often found at the St-Ouen flea market. They wore blazers with gold buttons and "British" crests, tweed jackets in houndstooth or flannel, and fitted gabardine trench coats. Tailored velvet suits from Renoma and O’Brial were also common. Instead of jeans, which they saw as something only Rockers wore, they preferred five-pocket corduroy trousers. These were often worn short to show off their shoes: Clarks, Carvil zip boots, or JM Weston loafers. They also wore colorful Shetland sweaters with round necks and short sleeves in bright colors like canary yellow, candy pink, and pale blue. With this, they rebelled against the mainstream high-class culture of Paris.^[3]

Attitude[]

The Minets were known for their desire to break away from tradition, even if it meant rejecting French cultural values. They were trendsetters, and they created their own scene and way of socializing. A key aspect of their attitude was their pursuit of "branché" status, a term referring to being cool and trendy.^[4]

Much of their social life revolved around parties, especially "boums" held on Thursday afternoons and Saturday evenings. Exchanging addresses and gaining access to exclusive gatherings was a common practice. They often attended "rallyes", organized events hosted by young women in their homes or upscale venues. Dating was another major part of their lifestyle, though the Minets acknowledged that it was a different era regarding sexual freedom. They often interacted with students from various Parisian high schools, usually through parties and gatherings.

The Drugstore Publicis was their main location, but they also frequented other buildings such as the New Store, Drug West, Pub Renault, Relais de Chaillot, Club Pierre Charron, and the Mimi Pinson dance hall, which was transformed into the "TOP TEN" to attract customers. They also attended events at places like L'Orée du Bois and the Scossa.

The Minets sometimes also enjoyed playing lighthearted pranks on others. A classic prank was directing people to a "fantastic party" at an address that turned out to be the Paris Morgue. Petty theft and occasional brawls were part of their image, though their actions were often more about making a statement than causing harm.

Music[]

Musically, Minets liked British rock and roll and rhythm and blues, and they would even go as far as listening to pirate radios from the United Kingdom. They frequently listened to bands such as The Who, The Beatles, and The Pretty Things, as well as American artists such as Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.

They disliked and rejected French music, particularly Yé-yé, despite the fact that it was also influenced by British culture. It was the prevailing genre of pop music in France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy at the time. Yé-yé music contrasted with past decades as it allowed more freedom for women in the music industry.

Media[]

Film[]

La Bande du Drugstore (2002), directed by François Armanet, is a French romcom film based around the Minets and their connection to the Drugstore Publicis in 1960s Paris. The film follows two young men, Philippe and Marc, as they learn about the subculture's fashion, music, and social events, alongside the experiences of Charlotte and Nathalie, two young women involved in the scene.