Arziv

Arziv

Location: Israel Mediterranean coast (between Nahariya and the Lebanese border)

Village type: avant-garde polyhedrons then huts.
Year opened: 1961
Year closed: 2001

A little history: It began in 1959-60, when Gilbert TRIGANO became interested in Israel.

Dominique LEBOURGEOIS and François HUBERT were sent to explore the "promised land" in search of a site that could house a village. Their journey didn't yield much. However, towards the end of their stay, they discovered an interesting site. Located in northern Israel, 5 kilometers from the border with Lebanon, it features a fine sandy beach overlooked by an old Arab village and a eucalyptus grove. The place has a certain cachet and is called Arzhiv.
The location of the future Club has been found!

Gilbert TRIGANO was in charge of negotiations with the Israeli government of BEN GOURION.

A 50-year lease agreement was issued by the Jewish National Fund (manager of all state-owned property in trust) and a special permit officially stating that the beach adjacent to the village was not open to the public.

A trio of Israeli architects, Eldar Sharon, Alfred Neumann, and Zvi Hecker, were tasked with designing the village. They were working to create a club with a difference. For accommodation, they replaced the Polynesian huts of other villages with 350 strange, "avant-garde" structures, a kind of polyhedron made of reeds assembled together. Each consists of three slightly convex hexagonal panels, closed by a triangular roof panel that can be opened for ventilation. 

Palm trees are planted, lawns are installed, stones, amphorae decorate the common areas. The old Arab village is also restored. It initially serves as accommodation for GOs before the bar and the typical restaurant are installed there.

The newly opened village is a source of curiosity for many Israelis. The club must erect a 2-meter-high fence with barbed wire to avoid being overwhelmed by visitors.

One of them will come from Cesarea to mingle with the GMs at a party. For the first time, he discovers the Club Méditerranée. His name is Edmond de ROTHSCHILD.

The first year, the activities offered were mainly nautical with spearfishing and swimming. Sailing arrived in 1962-63, then from 1964, horseback riding was offered at the village ranch.

Over the years, Arziv's profitability deteriorated. The village was especially full during the weekends. In 1974, the idea of ​​offering weekly packages in July and August was a considerable success. The village was full during the 2 summer months.  

During the 1970s, the village was transformed. The hexagonal polyhedra of the early days were replaced by traditional Polynesian huts. It was also the beginning of difficult years for the village, with tensions between Israel and the Palestinian state and Syria. The village is only 5 kilometers from the border with Lebanon. A day and night surveillance by a dozen armed IDF soldiers was put in place. General Haim Bar Levde established his headquarters in the village. To prevent any invasion by sea, the seafront was also guarded. Beware of anyone who ventures too far under sail!  

The village was accidentally hit several times by rockets fired from Lebanon into the Hebrew state. In 1995, a club cook was killed and GMs were injured. Normally open from mid-May to mid-October, the club was forced, on several occasions, to shorten the season for the safety of its GOs and GMs.

The journey

By plane Paris Tel Aviv then transfer by bus to the village. 

Village Chiefs

Pierre LEVRARD opened the village in 1961. Avner took over for 3 years. There were also Charly BENILLOUZ, Victor BOURLAS, POP'S, Toutoune (Jean TOURNAIRE) etc.

Vincent BENASSY closed the village in 2001

And today.

The Club closed the village for sale on the international market in 2001, but the beautiful buildings signed in 1961 are for a period of 60 years. A renovation was even in the pipeline in 2005 (project entrusted to DATOO Architecture), but this did not happen.

In 2012, the Club Beach returned to public ownership. It was incorporated into the Arzhiv Nature Park. As for the village itself, time is taking its toll. It is turning into a desolation like other old villages.

Unfortunately, sadly…,