France has secured one of the largest investments in the entertainment industry in Europe. Saudi Arabia will invest six billion euros in a vast complex near Paris, where three theme parks, hotels, restaurants, and other infrastructure are planned to be built. One of the parks will focus on the world of manga, and according to available information, it is expected to draw heavily from the popular Dragon Ball series.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman finalized an agreement for the project at the Élysée Palace on Monday. The complex, which will be located near Cergy-Pontoise northwest of Paris, has been described by Macron as a "new global destination." The total investment is expected to reach approximately six billion euros, and according to the French side, the project could create around 22,000 jobs. The information was also confirmed by Reuters.
The complex will be built on the site of the former Mirapolis amusement park in Courdimanche, in the Val-d'Oise department. Mirapolis opened in 1987 as one of the first major modern amusement parks in France, but it ceased operations in 1991 due to financial problems. The site has therefore been waiting for a new, larger use for more than three decades.
According to published information, three theme parks are planned for the site. One of the main attractions is expected to be the world of Japanese manga and anime. Reuters directly links the project to the Dragon Ball Z universe, while POLITICO speaks more generally about a park focused on manga. Speculation about the possible construction of an attraction inspired by the Dragon Ball series has been circulating in France for several weeks. French media reported at the beginning of August that the Élysée Palace, the Île-de-France region, local authorities, and the Saudi Qiddiya Investment Company were involved in discussions about the project.
The investment is being made by Qiddiya Investment Company, a company linked to the Saudi state investment fund, Public Investment Fund. Qiddiya has extensive experience in building entertainment complexes in Saudi Arabia itself, including a massive park dedicated to Dragon Ball. The investment in France also fits into Riyadh's broader strategy of expanding its activities beyond the traditional oil sector and strengthening its position in the entertainment, sports, and gaming industries.
The project near Paris will not only include the amusement park itself. According to POLITICO, there are plans for hotels, restaurants, and accommodation for young employees and students. The area is expected to include approximately 50,000 square meters of green space dedicated to biodiversity conservation. Investors say they want to create a model environmentally friendly project and also a new engine for tourism in the Paris region.
The agreement was signed by French Minister of Economy Roland Lescure on behalf of France, and by the management of Qiddiya Investment Company on behalf of Saudi Arabia. The memorandum is part of a broader series of Franco-Saudi agreements concluded during Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Paris.
Although the investment has received political support at the highest level, many details remain open. The exact construction schedule and opening date have not yet been announced. Reuters points out that preparing and building one of the largest new entertainment complexes in Europe will likely take several years.