Largest Entertainment Investment in France Since Disneyland: Saudi Qiddiya to Build 3 Parks Near Paris for €6 Billion
France announces a major investment project led by Saudi Qiddiya to build 3 global entertainment parks near Paris, worth €6 billion, creating 22,000 jobs.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced today, Monday, that Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, will establish three world-class entertainment parks in the Cergy-Pontoise area, northwest of Paris, with investments amounting to €6 billion (approximately 26 billion riyals), creating 22,000 jobs. This marks the largest project of its kind in France since Disneyland Paris.
Macron stated in a post on his 'X' platform account following the announcement, which coincided with the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to France: "An extraordinary announcement... With Saudi Arabia, we announce an unprecedented project," adding, "Three entertainment parks will be born in Cergy-Pontoise, with €6 billion in investments and 22,000 jobs... We haven't seen anything like it since Disneyland Paris. A new global destination, here in France."
The French President concluded by thanking "Qiddiya and Saudi Arabia for their trust in our country, our talents, and our future," emphasizing that the project embodies the essence of the "Choose France" program he launched to attract major investments: "We haven't finished amazing the world... Very proud of this success."
Manga Park on the 'Mirapolis' Grounds
According to French media, an agreement protocol for the project was signed today in Paris, which will be located on the former site of the 'Mirapolis' park in Cergy-Pontoise, Val-d'Oise, about 30 kilometers northwest of the capital. One of the three parks will be dedicated to the world of Japanese manga — an interest Macron explicitly mentioned in his post: "You know my interest in manga" — while Qiddiya will later choose the themes for the other two parks, with the opening date yet to be announced.
Reuters reported that the project includes a park inspired by the famous 'Dragon Ball' series, a license Qiddiya has experience with, having previously announced in 2024 the creation of the world's first 'Dragon Ball' park as part of the Qiddiya project in Riyadh.
Global Extension of Saudi Entertainment
The announcement represents the first international expansion of this scale for the Qiddiya project, the major entertainment destination being developed by the Public Investment Fund near Riyadh as part of Saudi Vision 2030 goals. It reflects the Kingdom's shift from being a recipient of entertainment investments to an exporter of them to global markets.
The announcement is the first outcome of the second day of the Crown Prince's visit to France, which includes the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council, chaired by His Highness and President Macron, and the signing of a series of agreements in the transport, energy, and health sectors.