Saudi Arabia is investing €6 billion [1] to build three new theme parks [2] in the greater Paris region.
The project represents a significant expansion of economic cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia. By targeting the tourism sector, both nations aim to strengthen bilateral ties and attract international visitors to the northwest outskirts of the French capital.
One of the three planned parks will feature a manga theme [1]. The development is slated for the Cergy-Pontoise area, located northwest of Paris [3]. This specific focus on Japanese-style comics and animation reflects a growing global market for manga-related entertainment.
The agreement was signed in June 2024 during a visit to Paris by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman [4]. The investment, which is approximately $7 billion [1], was coordinated between the Crown Prince and President Emmanuel Macron [4].
While the total funding is listed as €6 billion [1], some reports estimate the value at $7 billion [1]. The project aims to diversify the leisure offerings in the region, providing a new destination for families and enthusiasts of Asian pop culture.
French officials and Saudi representatives said the move is intended to boost tourism [4]. The scale of the investment marks one of the largest Saudi-backed leisure projects in Europe.
“Saudi Arabia is investing €6 billion to build three new theme parks in the greater Paris region.”
This investment signals a strategic shift in Saudi Arabia's global economic footprint, moving beyond energy and sovereign wealth funds into high-visibility cultural and tourism infrastructure. For France, the project secures massive foreign direct investment for the Cergy-Pontoise region, potentially shifting the tourism center of gravity away from the city center of Paris toward its suburban periphery.
