Saudi Arabia has agreed to invest €6 billion ($7 billion) in a major theme-park development. This development is located near Paris and comes in as the kingdom expands its international interests in entertainment and tourism.
The agreement was announced during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the French capital for talks with President Emmanuel Macron.
Scope
Furthermore, the development will consist of three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise, about 30 kilometres northwest of Paris. Also, at least one is expected to be inspired by manga and the hit Japanese franchise Dragon Ball Z.
Saudi entertainment and investment company Qiddiya will finance the project, while French officials estimate that the development could become one of Europe’s largest new leisure destinations.
The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding covering the project, with construction expected to take place in stages over several years.
Moreover, the idea reportedly emerged from discussions between Macron and the Saudi crown prince during the French president’s visit to Riyadh in December 2024. It was at this event when the two leaders discovered a shared enthusiasm for manga and Dragon Ball Z in particular.
Additionally, Macron described the investment as an unprecedented announcement and compared its potential scale with the arrival of Disneyland Paris.
Significance of the Project
The project represents a significant international expansion for Qiddiya, which is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Qiddiya is already developing an extensive entertainment city outside Riyadh containing theme parks, sports venues, hotels and cultural attractions. Also, it is developing a performing arts centre in Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, the French investment demonstrates how Saudi Arabia is taking the entertainment expertise and intellectual-property partnerships assembled under Vision 2030 into international markets.
It also gives France one of its largest foreign-backed tourism developments since Disneyland Paris opened in 1992.
Lastly, for Saudi Arabia, the deal creates a prominent overseas platform for Qiddiya while extending the kingdom’s commercial influence beyond its domestic giga-projects.
Project Factsheet
Project Name:Qiddiya France Entertainment & Theme Park Development
Location: Cergy-Pontoise / Courdimanche (former Mirapolis site, 30 km northwest of Paris, France)
Lead Investor and Developer: Qiddiya Investment Company (Subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – PIF)
Capital Investment: €6 Billion ($7 Billion USD)
Project Scope: 3 distinct parks across a unified resort complex
Headline Attraction: Theme park inspired by the Japanese manga/anime franchise Dragon Ball Z
Key Framework: Bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed under France’s Choose France investment initiative & Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
Site History: Redevelopment of the historic Mirapolis theme park grounds (closed since 1991)
Supporting Infrastructure: Integrated hotels, catering districts, student/worker housing, and 50,000 sq meters of preserved green space
Economic and Employment Impact: 22,000 direct jobs created (exceeding Disneyland Paris’s initial employment metrics)
Development Timeline: Phased construction over several years; launch dates to be announced
Strategic Significance: Qiddiya’s first major international outbound destination expansion outside Saudi Arabia
Project Team
Lead Developer and Primary Financing
- Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC): The core developer, owner, and primary financier leading the multi-park development.
- Public Investment Fund (PIF): Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, which owns Qiddiya and supplies the project’s €6 billion ($7 billion) capital backing.
Government Agencies and Facilitators
- French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial Sovereignty: Represented by Minister Roland Lescure in signing the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
- Business France / “Choose France”: The official state agency facilitating foreign direct investment, under whose framework the development initiative was launched.
- Commune of Cergy-Pontoise / Courdimanche Local Authorities: Regional municipal governments hosting the site location.
Intellectual Property Partners
- Toei Animation: The official Japanese animation studio and franchise owner holding the intellectual property rights to Dragon Ball Z.
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