Alcudia

Alcudia

Location: Balearic Islands (Island of Palma de Mallorca North coast)
Village type: Tents
Year opened: 1950
Year closed: 1950

Club Méditerranée offers you a new and friendly holiday formula, a comfortable canvas village, the most beautiful sites of the Mediterranean, a large and dedicated staff (cooks, waiters, housekeepers, etc.), all Mediterranean sports, fast and comfortable travel, quality entertainment.

Text of the first leaflet

A little history: Alcudia was the first village of the Club Méditerranée association. Robert Baudin, a cousin of Gérard Blitz, erected and organized the village, not without difficulty, before the arrival of the first members. With 200 somewhat worn tents from American surplus, and minimal comfort (one shower for 300 people, water facilities reduced to their simplest expression), the village welcomed 2,600 French and Belgian members.

The first departure from the Gare d'Austerlitz in Paris took place on June 4, 1950. 742 members would make a 36-hour journey before discovering the first Club Méditerranée village. 

On the day of departure, members met at "l'arc en ciel," a bistro located at the corner of Boulevard de l'Hôpital and Rue Buffon (now a McDonald's) opposite the Gare d'Austerlitz station before taking their seats in one of the 8-person compartments on the train to Barcelona. The journey continued on the ferry that connected the Catalan capital to Palma de Mallorca. Comfort throughout the 36-hour journey was often spartan and uncomfortable, but we didn't care, we were going on vacation. 

The day is spent mainly around water activities. Scuba diving, a bit of water skiing and what would later be called bivouacs, a kind of long sea trips with picnics fueled by prey freshly caught by underwater hunters like Marcel Contal. Excursions or beach games are also organized like volleyball, pétanque…. For the evening, there are musicians, we dance…

And then, members who are a bit handy also participate a little in improving the village at the request of Gérard BLITZ. The term "Gentil" was born from one of these requests.

The village closed on September 20, 1950. It had welcomed 2,600 people during the season, more than the most optimistic estimates. Arriving in Alcudia as members, they returned home as "Gentil Membres."   

In an email I exchanged with Patricia MORTAIGNE (GO between 1960 and 2000) some time ago, here is what she told me:

My father Léon Mortaigne (“Editor-in-Chief” of the 1st Trident) was part of the opening team of Alcudia in 1950. 

[…]

Jo Bouillon Head Chef. 

The title of Village Chief was held by Gérard Blitz, although he spent a good part of his time in Paris ensuring the registration of the first members. 

The responsibilities in Alcudia were carried out in particular by: Jean Pierre Becret for “management”, Tony Hatot, Marcel Contal water skiing and my father for “traffic”.