Saudi Arabia to Invest $7B in Manga Theme Parks Near Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a €6 billion investment agreement on August 24, 2026, to construct three manga-themed amusement parks near Cergy-Pontoise, northwest of Paris. According to the Elysee Palace, the sprawling leisure development, inspired by the global anime phenomenon Dragon Ball Z, aims to generate approximately 22,000 jobs and diversify the Saudi economy away from oil.
Financing for the infrastructure project will be spearheaded by the Saudi entertainment and investment group Qiddiya, a subsidiary of the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund. French Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure and Qiddiya Director General Abdullah Al Dawood formally oversaw the signing ceremony at the Elysee Palace.
Origins of the Manga Partnership and Economic Context
The roots of the entertainment venture trace back to a December 2024 diplomatic visit by President Macron to Riyadh. During discussions at the Saudi crown prince’s residence, both leaders reportedly discovered a shared enthusiasm for manga, particularly the Dragon Ball franchise. Subsequent talks advanced through early 2025 via meetings between French presidential advisers and Qiddiya executives.
French officials emphasized that the development site near Cergy-Pontoise, situated roughly 30 kilometers from Paris, was chosen due to its proximity to Disneyland Paris. Historically, the chosen sector hosted France’s first theme park, Mirapolis, which opened in 1987 with private Saudi backing before closing amid financial strain 35 years ago.
Beyond leisure economics, the announcement lands domestically in France just eight months prior to a presidential election in which Macron will not be able to run, having already served two consecutive terms. High public debt and low purchasing power dominate domestic discourse, placing pressure on leaders to demonstrate tangible foreign direct investment wins.
Timeline, Construction Phases, and Infrastructure Impact
While the Elysee Palace confirmed the broad financial parameters and job creation estimates, key scheduling milestones remain unfinalized. Construction on the three different theme parks will span several years, requiring complex environmental impact assessments and heavy logistical orchestration.
The timing of Prince Mohammed’s rare official trip abroad also coincided with the conclusion of the Esports World Cup in Paris, an event attended jointly by Macron and the Saudi crown prince on Sunday. While high-level diplomatic talks addressed the fallout from the Iran-US war, the economic cooperation solidified a cultural bridge between Paris and Riyadh.