Macron announces €6bn Saudi-backed theme park plan near Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a major Saudi-backed investment to develop three theme parks in Cergy-Pontoise, northwest of Paris.
The project, valued at €6 billion, is being backed by Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya and is expected to create around 22,000 jobs.
Macron described the development as an unprecedented project for France and said its scale would be comparable to major developments seen since Disneyland Paris.
The announcement came during Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to France, highlighting the growing economic relationship between the two countries.
Three theme parks planned near Paris
The planned development will include three theme parks in Cergy-Pontoise.
The project is expected to create a new entertainment destination that could attract visitors from France and other countries.
One of the planned attractions will be inspired by the popular Japanese manga and anime franchise Dragon Ball.
The Dragon Ball-themed park will be financed by Qiddiya, according to details released after Macron’s announcement.
The project will add a major new attraction to France’s tourism and entertainment industry while expanding Qiddiya’s presence beyond Saudi Arabia.
Macron described the investment as “An extraordinary announcement” and said the partnership with Saudi Arabia represented an important opportunity for France.
He also thanked Qiddiya and Saudi Arabia for their confidence in France, its workforce and its economic future.
The French president said the development would create “A new global destination” in the country.
Macron links project to Choose France
Macron connected the Saudi-backed investment to his government’s “Choose France” initiative.
The programme was launched to attract major international companies and investors to France while creating new employment opportunities.
“This is the very essence of Choose France: to seek out the most ambitious projects and make France the country where they become reality. To create jobs. To make France shine,” Macron said.
The French president launched the Choose France Summit in 2018 as a major effort to attract foreign investment.
According to the Élysée Palace, the initiative had helped secure more than 230 investment decisions worth nearly €87 billion before its ninth edition in June 2026.
The latest Saudi-backed development is expected to become one of the biggest recent investments in France’s leisure and entertainment sector.
Project compared with Disneyland Paris
Macron directly compared the planned theme park development with Disneyland Paris.
Disneyland Paris opened in 1992 and has attracted more than €13 billion in investment since its launch.
The resort has also supported tens of thousands of jobs and become one of France’s best-known international tourism destinations.
The new Cergy-Pontoise project could therefore become an important addition to France’s entertainment industry if the planned development proceeds as announced.
The scale of the investment also reflects the growing competition among countries and companies to build major global entertainment destinations.
For France, the project could bring investment, employment and greater international attention to the Cergy-Pontoise area.
For Saudi Arabia, it provides Qiddiya with an opportunity to expand its entertainment ambitions into a major European market.
Qiddiya expands global entertainment ambitions
Qiddiya is part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund portfolio and plays an important role in the country’s plans to expand its entertainment, sports and cultural sectors.
The company is developing a large entertainment destination near Riyadh as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader economic diversification strategy.
Qiddiya City includes attractions such as Six Flags Qiddiya City, Aquarabia, a gaming and esports district and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium.
The company’s involvement in the French project shows that its ambitions extend beyond Saudi Arabia.
The Cergy-Pontoise development could help Qiddiya establish a stronger international presence in the global entertainment market.
It could also strengthen economic ties between Saudi Arabia and France, particularly in tourism, entertainment and investment.
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22,000 jobs expected from development
One of the biggest expected benefits of the project is employment.
The investment is expected to create around 22,000 jobs connected to the development and operation of the theme parks.
The project could also generate wider economic activity through tourism, hospitality, transport, retail and other services.
Local businesses could benefit from increased visitor numbers if the parks attract large numbers of domestic and international tourists.
However, the long-term economic impact will depend on the development schedule, visitor demand and successful completion of the planned attractions.
The project’s large investment figure makes it a significant economic announcement for France.
It also gives the French government another example of its efforts to attract international capital into major domestic projects.
Saudi-French economic ties deepen
The announcement came during Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to France, adding another major investment element to discussions between Riyadh and Paris.
The two countries have been developing stronger economic relationships across several sectors.
The theme park project adds entertainment and tourism to those growing ties.
It also reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to invest in international projects while developing its own domestic entertainment industry.
France, meanwhile, is seeking major international investment to support economic growth and create jobs.
The new project therefore serves interests on both sides.
