France Unveils €6 Billion Saudi-Funded Theme Park Plan Near Paris
PARIS, August 25, 2026 — France and Saudi Arabia have agreed on a €6 billion investment to develop three large theme parks near Paris, creating what French officials describe as one of the country’s biggest entertainment projects since Disneyland Paris.
The project will be developed in the Cergy-Pontoise area, around 30 kilometres northwest of Paris. Saudi investment company Qiddiya, backed by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, will lead the project. The development is expected to generate approximately 22,000 jobs.
Dragon Ball Theme Planned
One of the three attractions is expected to feature the world of Dragon Ball Z, the globally popular Japanese manga and anime franchise. The concept reportedly emerged after French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discovered their shared interest in the franchise during Macron’s visit to Saudi Arabia.
Details about the other two parks have not yet been finalized publicly. Officials have indicated that the wider development will form a major entertainment destination aimed at both domestic and international visitors.
Major Investment for France
Macron welcomed the agreement as a significant achievement for France and said the project could create a new global entertainment destination. The French presidency has compared its scale with major developments such as Disneyland Paris.
The parks are planned on land associated with the former Mirapolis theme park. Their location near the French capital could allow the development to benefit from Paris’s huge international tourism market.
Saudi Arabia Expands Global Entertainment Strategy
The investment also reflects Saudi Arabia’s wider economic diversification strategy. Through Qiddiya and other projects, the kingdom is investing heavily in entertainment, tourism, sports and leisure as it seeks to reduce its dependence on oil.
The Paris-area project gives Saudi Arabia a high-profile presence in Europe’s entertainment industry while strengthening its economic partnership with France.
Construction Expected to Take Years
Although the €6 billion agreement has been announced, the project remains at an early development stage. No official opening date has been set, and construction is expected to take several years.
If completed as planned, the three-park complex could transform Cergy-Pontoise into a major tourism and entertainment hub. The project is also expected to deepen commercial ties between France and Saudi Arabia while creating thousands of employment opportunities in the region.
