France and Saudi Arabia Agree on €6 Billion Theme Park Destination Near Paris

Paris, France - France and Saudi Arabia have announced support for a major new entertainment and leisure destination near Paris, with planned investment of about €6 billion over the project’s development lifecycle.

The project was included in a joint statement issued by the Élysée Palace after French President Emmanuel Macron met Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman during the Saudi leader’s official visit to France.

According to the joint statement, Qiddiya Investment Company aims to develop a large mixed-use, multi-park destination in Cergy-Pontoise, in the Île-de-France region northwest of Paris. The proposed destination would bring together entertainment, leisure, hospitality, culture and sport.

The current plan includes up to three major entertainment anchors, hotels and complementary leisure experiences. The full investment ambition is estimated at around €6 billion.

The announcement comes as France and Saudi Arabia seek to deepen economic ties and cross-investments. It also reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader push to expand tourism, entertainment and cultural industries under its Vision 2030 diversification strategy.

For France, the project could strengthen the Paris region’s position as one of Europe’s major tourism and leisure hubs. The area is already home to major attractions, including Disneyland Paris, museums, cultural venues and international sporting events.

If completed, the Cergy-Pontoise project could create jobs, attract visitors and support businesses connected to hospitality, transportation, food service, construction and entertainment.

However, many details remain limited. The official statement did not provide a final construction timetable, opening date, complete list of park themes or full financing structure. It also described the project as an “ambition,” meaning additional planning, approvals and development steps are still expected.

Large theme park and leisure projects can take years to complete and typically require coordination among investors, local governments, transportation planners, environmental authorities and private operators.

The deal is part of a wider France-Saudi strategic partnership covering economic cooperation, investment, culture, energy, transport, logistics, finance and regional diplomacy.

For Asian and Middle Eastern communities, the proposed project is notable because it shows the growing role of Gulf investment in global entertainment, tourism and cultural infrastructure.

If the plan moves forward, the development could become one of the most significant new leisure projects in Europe since Disneyland Paris, while giving Saudi Arabia another international platform in the global entertainment economy.