Alcudia
Location: Balearic Islands (Palma de Mallorca Island, North Coast)
Village Type: Tents
Year Opened: 1950
Year Closed: 1950
Club Med offers you a new and enjoyable holiday experience, a comfortable tented village, the most beautiful sites in the Mediterranean, a large and dedicated staff (cooks, waiters, stewards, etc.), all Mediterranean sports, fast and comfortable travel, and quality entertainment.
Text of the first leaflet
A little background: Alcudia was the first village of the Club Med 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, toilets reduced to their bare essentials), the village accommodated 2,600 French and Belgian members.
The first departure from the Austerlitz station in Paris took place on June 4, 1950. 742 members embarked on a 36-hour journey before discovering the first Club Med village.
On the day of departure, members would meet at "L'Arc en Ciel" (The Rainbow), a bistro located on the corner of Boulevard de l'Hôpital and Rue Buffon (now a McDonald's) opposite the Gare d'Austerlitz train station, before boarding one of the eight-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 trip was often spartan and uncomfortable, but nobody cared; they were going on vacation.
The day revolves mainly around water sports. Scuba diving, a bit of water skiing, and what will later be called "bivouacs"—a kind of long boat trip with picnics featuring freshly caught seafood brought in by spearfishermen like Marcel Contal. Excursions and beach games are also organized, such as volleyball and pétanque. In the evening, there are musicians, and people dance
And then, the members who are a bit handy also participate in improving the village at the request of Gérard BLITZ. The term "Gentil" actually originated from one of these requests.
The village closed on September 20, 1950. It had welcomed 2,600 people during the season, more than even the most optimistic estimates. Having arrived in Alcudia as members, they returned home as "Gentle Members".
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 at 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 to ensure the registration of the first members.
Responsibilities in Alcudia were notably handled by: Jean Pierre Becret for "management", Tony Hatot, Marcel Contal water skiing and my father for "traffic".
Video
Alcudia 1950, a film directed by Marcel Contal
