If you get welted shoes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9xSnu69Qtg) where the sole is mated to the upper - so if the sole wears out, then you can bring it to the cobbler to get a new sole. And they don’t have to be expensive either - look for used shoes on ebay.
Meanwhile, public housing in France: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfonhlM6I7w