France and Saudi Arabia have agreed to invest approximately 6 billion euros (around $7 billion) to develop three amusement parks near Paris, one themed on Japanese manga and anime, specifically Dragon Ball Z. The project is planned for the area near Cergy-Pontoise, about 30 kilometers northwest of Paris [1, 2, 3].
The agreement was announced on August 25, 2026, following discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the crown prince’s two-day state visit to France [1, 3]. The deal is part of broader cooperation agreements covering energy, artificial intelligence, aviation financing, transport, health, and defense, including cybersecurity and military training [1].
The project is expected to create roughly 20,000 to 22,000 jobs, boosting local employment significantly [1, 3]. It will be led by Qiddiya, the investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund [1].
Macron described the development as creating a new global destination comparable to Disneyland Paris, saying, "Nothing like this has been seen since Disneyland Paris" and that the project is a success of his "Choose France" initiative aimed at attracting foreign investment. "We’re not done surprising the world. Very proud of this achievement," he said [1, 3]. He added, "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." [3]
The manga theme reflects a shared personal interest between Macron and Mohammed bin Salman, who first discussed the idea during a meeting in Riyadh in December 2024 [1].
Separately, Saudi Arabia signed a $434 million contract with French marine logistics company CMA CGM to assist in developing the Jeddah Islamic Port [1].
The amusement park project represents a major investment that aims to open for business in the coming years, marking a new chapter in French-Saudi economic ties.
