Saudi-Funded French Theme Parks
France and Saudi Arabia Announce €6 Billion Theme Park Development Near Paris
Key Points
The Dragon Ball Z-inspired manga park concept originated from a December 2024 discussion in Riyadh between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where an adviser said the leaders realized a 'shared passion for manga, and in particular Dragon Ball Z.'
The site near Cergy-Pontoise sits in an area with a history of Saudi-funded entertainment projects, including the Mirapolis theme park that opened in 1987 with private Saudi funding and later closed.
Saudi investment into the three parks is being coordinated by the Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which will oversee the development.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Paris visit included formal ceremonies, with a reception at the Hôtel des Invalides, the Saudi royal anthem and the French national anthem played, and a guard review by the Republican Guard.
France and Saudi Arabia announced a €6 billion ($7 billion) deal to build three theme parks near Paris, with one planned around the Dragon Ball Z manga franchise Politico. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed the agreement during a Paris visit, with construction expected to begin near Cergy-Pontoise, a town 30 kilometers northwest of the capital France24. The project will create roughly 22,000 jobs and represents Saudi Arabia's latest push to diversify away from oil.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the entertainment complex "unprecedented" and a "new global destination" France24. The Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, will oversee development. The parks will open in stages over coming years, marking one of the largest entertainment investments in Europe.
Manga Park Born From Macron's Dragon Ball Z Passion
The Dragon Ball Z concept came straight from the top. In December 2024, Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed their "shared passion for manga, and in particular Dragon Ball Z," according to an adviser Culture.org. That casual conversation in Riyadh sparked the entire €6 billion project. Details on the other two parks remain undisclosed for now.
The manga park represents an unusual bet for Saudi investment. Animation and Japanese pop culture have exploded globally, with Dragon Ball Z remaining iconic decades after its 1989 launch. By tapping into this fandom, Saudi Arabia aims to attract international visitors beyond traditional theme park audiences.
Saudi Arabia's €6 Billion Bet on Tourism Diversity
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is backing the three-park complex as part of broader economic diversification efforts Politico. Oil revenues have sustained the kingdom for decades, but leaders now prioritize tourism and entertainment. This €6 billion commitment dwarfs most European theme park investments and signals serious intent to compete globally.
The location near Cergy-Pontoise sits in an area with Saudi entertainment history. The Mirapolis theme park opened there in 1987 with private Saudi funding, though it later closed. This new project aims to succeed where that earlier venture did not, with far larger investment and modern attractions.
Cergy-Pontoise Development Launches With Royal Ceremony
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Paris visit included full ceremonial honors. A reception at the Hôtel des Invalides featured both the Saudi and French national anthems, with a formal guard review by the Republican Guard Culture.org. The pomp underscored the political importance of the deal to both nations.
The agreement grew from 2024 discussions and advanced through 2025 negotiations Politico. Both governments framed it as deepening their strategic partnership. The parks will employ roughly 22,000 people once fully operational, making it a significant economic anchor for the Paris region.
Sentiment
Mostly PositivePublishers
13
Articles
46
Reach
59
