Saudi Arabia is set to invest about €6 billion ($7 billion) in the development of three theme parks near Paris, in one of the kingdom’s latest major overseas investments through its Public Investment Fund-backed entertainment sector.
France and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday covering the project, which will be developed by Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
The announcement was made following a meeting between His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, and President Emmanuel Macron of France.
The three parks are planned near Cergy-Pontoise, about 30 km northwest of Paris, with development expected to take place in stages over several years.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the agreement as an “unprecedented announcement” in a post on X, saying the attractions would create “a new global destination.”
The French presidency said the project is expected to generate around 22,000 direct jobs, putting it on a scale comparable with Disneyland Paris, which employs about 20,000 people.
One of the three parks is expected to have a manga theme, although the themes of the other two attractions have not yet been disclosed.
The French presidency said the project originated from discussions between Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the French president’s visit to Riyadh in December 2024. An adviser to Macron said the two had discovered a shared interest in manga, particularly Dragon Ball Z, during those discussions.
Plans for a Dragon Ball-themed attraction in France had emerged earlier this year, but had not previously been officially confirmed. The Élysée said one of the three parks is expected to be manga-themed, without specifying whether it would be dedicated to the Japanese franchise.
No opening date has been announced.
Saudi investment in global entertainment
The project expands Saudi Arabia’s growing involvement in the global entertainment and tourism industries, areas that have become increasingly important under Vision 2030, the kingdom's economic diversification programme.
Qiddiya, backed by the PIF, is developing a large-scale entertainment, sports and tourism destination near Riyadh and has been pursuing partnerships and investments aimed at building Saudi Arabia's entertainment ecosystem.
The planned French parks would represent a major Saudi investment in the European leisure and tourism market while strengthening commercial ties between Riyadh and Paris.
The French presidency described the €6 billion project as a “colossal” investment.
French officials also highlighted the significance of the crown prince choosing France for his latest overseas visit. A French presidential official said Mohammed bin Salman rarely travels outside Saudi Arabia except for major international summits.
“The fact that he chose France for this visit is an important signal and testifies to the depth and dynamism of the Franco-Saudi relationship,” the official said.
Macron hails investment
Macron used social media to welcome the agreement, presenting it as a major addition to France's tourism and entertainment offering.
In his X statement, the French president called the announcement “unprecedented” and said the parks would become “a new global destination.”
The agreement was among several economic and commercial initiatives announced during the Saudi crown prince's two-day visit to France, which also took place against the backdrop of the escalating crisis in the Middle East.
