Elba (Marina di Campo)
Location: Elba Island
Village type: Tents then mixed (tents + huts)
Year opened: 1953
Year closed: 1960
If he had known... Napoleon would never have left the island
A little history: Nestled at the end of Marina di Campo bay in a pine forest bordering a beautiful sandy beach, the village opened on May 24, 1953. The location was already familiar to Club Med, as excursions and camping trips from Golfo di Baratti had been departing there since 1951.
In 1953, the village simply welcomed guests for one-week stays, primarily including an excursion program. The following year, Elba expanded and became a "real" village where guests could spend longer periods (two weeks). Water skiing, spearfishing, volleyball, pétanque, and camping trips to the Tuscan islands of Monte Cristo and Capraia were among the activities offered.
Elba is the so-called "farniente" village, as presented in every issue of Trident magazine. From 1955 onwards, Club Med combined Elba with Capri, offering GMs the option of beginning their stay in Marina di Campo and ending it at the Villa Pena in Capri.
Some Village Chiefs who led the village of Marina di Campo
1953: Dimitri PHILIPPOFF.
1957: Judith BLITZ (Didy). Alex Métayer was the host.
1959/1960: Roger CAILLET.
Find more media inside the gallery here
Video
Club Med in 1955, on the island of Elba, as if you were there!
Georges Guillet – 1955
Cinémathèque de Bretagne
Elba Marina di Campo 1957 –
Collierbar Archive.
My very first village as a little (7-year-old) GM. I think it was in '58. However, I'm certain that the Naudins were involved in the activities.
He was a film sound effects artist, and she worked in the club's office in Paris.