A landmark agreement between President Macron and Crown Prince MBS will see the creation of a $7bn theme park complex near Paris, boosting tourism and defense ties.
- A $7 billion (6 billion euro) amusement park project will be developed near Paris.
- The project is expected to generate approximately 22,000 new jobs.
- Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund arm, Qiddiya, will lead the investment.
- The deal includes broader cooperation in AI, defense, energy, and transport.
In a monumental boost to bilateral relations, France and Saudi Arabia have announced a massive $7 billion (6 billion euro) theme park project near Paris. The announcement followed high-level discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) at the Elysee Palace.
The ambitious project is slated to be constructed near Cergy-Pontoise, located roughly 30km northwest of Paris. The development will feature three distinct theme parks, including one specifically designed with a manga theme. This initiative will be spearheaded by Qiddiya, the investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, marking a significant footprint for Saudi capital in Europe.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this deal transcends mere entertainment; it is a strategic pillar of France's 'Choose France' campaign aimed at attracting foreign direct investment. By integrating Saudi capital into the French tourism landscape, both nations are hedging against traditional economic shifts. Furthermore, the project serves as a cultural bridge, leveraging the shared global popularity of Japanese-style animation to drive economic growth.
This project will create a new global destination on the scale of Disneyland Paris.
Beyond the theme parks, the visit yielded a suite of strategic agreements. A significant letter of intent was signed to reinforce defense cooperation, focusing on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) training, and military expertise. This is particularly vital as Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its strategic defense partners beyond traditional Western alliances.
The economic windfall extends to French industrial giants as well. The logistics firm CMA CGM secured a $434 million contract for the development of the Jeddah Islamic Port, while the transport group Alstom signed a $580 million deal to supply metro carriages for the Riyadh metro system.
Historical Background
The seeds of this partnership were sown during Macron's visit to Riyadh in December 2024. During that meeting, both leaders discovered a shared passion for manga, specifically Dragon Ball Z, which served as a unique diplomatic catalyst for this multi-billion dollar tourism venture.
| Sector | Agreement Detail | Key Entities |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism | $7bn Theme Park Project | Qiddiya & France |
| Transport | Metro Carriage Supply | Alstom |
| Logistics | Jeddah Port Development | CMA CGM |
| Defense | Cybersecurity & AI Training | France & Saudi Arabia |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Where exactly will the theme park be located?
Answer: The project will be situated near Cergy-Pontoise, about 30km northwest of Paris.
Question 2: How many jobs will this project create?
Answer: The project is projected to create approximately 22,000 jobs.
