A substantial €6 billion investment from Saudi Arabia is set to transform the landscape northwest of Paris, with plans for three new theme parks officially announced this week. The agreement, sealed during a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the French capital, represents a significant economic injection into the Île-de-France region, promising to create a fresh global destination for entertainment. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the deal, highlighting its potential to generate approximately 22,000 jobs.
The ambitious project will take root in Cergy-Pontoise, occupying the former site of the Mirapolis theme park. Among the planned attractions is a manga-themed experience, a nod to the popular Japanese comic book and graphic novel style. President Macron, expressing his enthusiasm on social media platform X, likened the scale of this development to the original Disneyland Paris, emphasizing its unprecedented nature in recent decades. He extended his gratitude to Qiddiya, the Saudi investment firm slated to spearhead the park’s development, for their confidence in France’s economic future and its workforce.
Discussions during the Crown Prince’s visit extended beyond the theme park deal, encompassing broader economic and strategic matters, alongside key regional issues, as confirmed by the Élysée. This suggests the investment is part of a wider dialogue between the two nations, underscoring deepening ties. The sheer scale of the financial commitment and the projected job creation figures position this initiative as a major development for the region’s economy.
Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France regional council, voiced her delight at the news, revealing that her council had been actively supporting the project for the past 18 months. She underscored France’s standing as the world’s leading tourist destination, asserting the critical need for both the promised jobs and the substantial investment. Her comments on France’s TF1 TV network reflected a pragmatic view of the economic benefits, framing the theme parks as a vital boost for local employment and regional development.
The decision to locate the parks in Cergy-Pontoise, a site with a history in theme park entertainment, suggests a strategic choice aimed at revitalizing an area with existing infrastructure potential. This venture marks a significant expansion of Saudi Arabia’s international investment portfolio, particularly in the leisure and tourism sector, aligning with broader national strategies to diversify its economy. For France, it reinforces its appeal as a destination for foreign capital and a hub for major cultural and entertainment projects.
