France and Saudi Arabia Agree on $7 Billion Theme Park Project

France and Saudi Arabia agreed on Monday to build a 6 billion euro ($7 billion) theme park project near Paris, featuring a manga-inspired section based on the popular Japanese franchise Dragon Ball Z, according to the Elysee Palace.

The agreement was announced during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's two-day state visit to Paris. The project will construct three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise, roughly 30 kilometers northwest of Paris, on the former site of the Mirapolis park in Val-d'Oise. Led and financed by Qiddiya, an investment arm of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the development is expected to create up to 22,000 jobs, according to French officials.

The theme park concept stemmed from discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and Prince Mohammed in December 2024 in Riyadh, where both leaders discovered a shared passion for Japanese comics, particularly the Dragon Ball series. Opening dates for the parks have not been scheduled, but construction is expected to span several years with phased openings.

President Macron expressed strong support for the development, positioning it within his wider initiative to attract foreign investment to France.

"Extraordinary," said Emmanuel Macron, President of France, adding that the project would create a "new global destination" on the scale of Disneyland Paris.

The French president noted that the partnership reflects international confidence in French creative industries.

"We're not done surprising the world. Very proud of this achievement," said Emmanuel Macron, President of France.

Addressing the broader relationship between the two nations, Macron highlighted the strategic importance of the visit on social media.

"Important milestone," said Emmanuel Macron, President of France.

He emphasized that the partnership extends to global security concerns across the region.

"France and Saudi Arabia have always worked together to promote peace and stability," said Emmanuel Macron, President of France.

President Macron also referenced his personal interest in Japanese popular culture while introducing the collaboration.

"You know my interest for manga," said Emmanuel Macron, President of France.

The theme park agreement is part of broader diplomatic and economic talks held at the Elysee Palace. During the summit, the two nations signed bilateral agreements spanning health, energy, transport, aviation financing, and artificial intelligence. Strategic contracts were also established with French firms, including a $434 million deal with CMA CGM for Jeddah Islamic Port and a $580 million contract with Alstom for Riyadh's metro carriages.

The two leaders also signed a letter of intent to reinforce defense cooperation, including cybersecurity and military training expertise exchanges. In a joint diplomatic statement, France and Saudi Arabia called for a negotiated resolution to the conflict between the United States and Iran, a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, support for Palestinian statehood, and the protection of international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.