Santa Giulia

Santa Giulia

Location: Corsica (near Porto Vecchio)
Village type: Cottages
Opening date: 1958
Closing year: 1986

The story goes that in 1958, Club Med acquired the bankrupt Club Polynesia (due to numerous unpaid bills and involvement in cigarette smuggling). According to legend, Mr. de Rocca Serra, then mayor of Proto Vecchio and a well-known politician, approached Gilbert Trigano to convince him to take over Club Polynesia and thus save the local economy.

Gilbert Trigano discovered a magnificent beach on the site of the Club Polynésie, but the facilities were in a disastrous state. Everything would have to be rebuilt to allow for an opening in the summer of 1959.

However, a French political event disrupted the initially planned schedule. On May 17, 1958, measures taken by the then Minister of Finance (a certain Mr. Edgar Faure) eliminated the foreign currency allowance for trips abroad. The Club had to adapt to these constraints.

The decision was then made to open Santa Giulia "as a matter of urgency." Given the dilapidated state of the village left by Club Polynésie, accommodation was chosen to consist of tents and small wooden bungalows

The village opened in mid-June 1958. Judith BLITZ (Didy) was the village chief. When Didy couldn't overcome the difficulties, Gérard BLITZ temporarily took over before handing the reins to Gilbert TRIGANO. This marked the latter's first experience as village chief!

Water skiing takes center stage thanks to the magnificent bay offering waters off the village. Scuba diving is also available.
In 1959, the Club's first freediving school was established by Elie Boissin.
The village later expanded to include sailing, windsurfing, judo, and horseback riding.

In 1986, the year of its closure, GMs could try their hand at funboarding, an activity tested in Kos the previous year.

The cabins were installed in 1959. The GMs discovered a brand new Santa Giulia!!  

A difficult village:

Throughout its history, Santa Giulia has been a difficult village to govern. These difficulties began right from the start in 1958 and lasted for 30 years.
They manifested as intimidation and sabotage of facilities. The threats were made by a certain segment of Corsican youth who claimed that the club was occupying their land!

During the 1980s, the village experienced 2 hold-ups, including 1 with hostage-taking on September 4, 1986, 2 bombings, multiple assaults, and house fires.

Numerous concessions had to be "offered" by village chiefs or the Club's management in an attempt to appease rebellious spirits. Access to the bar, the closure of the nightclub, and the sponsorship of the FC Bastia football club in the late 1970s are just a few examples.

The summer of 1986 marked the last season. The Club left Santa-Giulia before the end of the lease (which was due to expire in 1988) because, according to Gilbert, security and tranquility were no longer guaranteed there.

Village chiefs:

Judith BLITZ (Didy) opened the village in 1958, quickly succeeded by Gilbert TRIGANO.
For the next two years, Jean Pierre BECRET served as village chief. Jean BASSET (Pop's) led the village for six consecutive years during the 1960s.
HASSAN, BATARD, BESSON (Luc's father), GUILBERT, and FLORENCE are among the leaders who have left their mark on the village.

The last one was Alain BLANC. He closed Santa Giulia in 1986.

The journey:

In the early years, it was carried out from Paris to Bastia by plane or from Marseille by boat.

During the 1970s, the Club was authorized to land its charter flights at military base no. 126 in Solenzara, in order to shorten the transfer time which was 2 hours from Bastia

Figari airport was also used in the late 1970s.