France and Saudi Arabia agree on 6 billion euro Dragon Ball Z theme park near Paris

The Cergy-Pontoise development

France and Saudi Arabia have agreed to build a 6 billion euro ($7 billion) manga-themed amusement park complex near Paris, the Elysee Palace announced on Monday. The development will be located near Cergy-Pontoise, an area situated northwest of the French capital. According to statements from the Elysee, the project is expected to create around 22,000 jobs during construction and subsequent operations. Financing for the entire development will be provided by Qiddiya, the Saudi entertainment and investment group operating as part of the kingdom's sovereign investment network. The sprawling complex is planned to incorporate three distinct theme parks, although specific planning and commercial terms are yet to be settled. Construction is expected to require several years, and officials noted that no official opening date has been set for what would rank among Europe's largest theme park developments.

Origins of the manga project

The concept for the project originated during French President Emmanuel Macron's official visit to Saudi Arabia in 2025. Presidential advisers reported that Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discovered a shared personal enthusiasm for the Japanese manga and anime franchise Dragon Ball Z during their conversations. Following those initial discussions, planners developed the proposal into a themed entertainment complex inspired by the Japanese franchise. The project will feature at least one designated section dedicated to manga comic books within the three-park master plan. French officials presented the multi-billion-euro project as confirmation that France remains a magnet for foreign investment, despite the remaining technical details that need to be finalized between the two countries.

Official visit and esports appearance

The agreement was formalized during a two-day official visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Paris, marking a rare international trip for the Saudi heir. Bin Salman, who owns a chateau near the French capital, appeared alongside President Macron on Sunday at the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup in Paris. The global gaming tournament was hosted outside Saudi Arabia for the first time in its history, though it was largely funded by Riyadh. That joint public appearance preceded the formal bilateral discussions held on Monday at the Elysee Palace, where the theme park agreement was officially presented.

Geopolitics and economic diversification

For Saudi Arabia, the Paris amusement complex represents a key component of its campaign to diversify the national economy away from oil dependency and build a global presence in leisure and entertainment. In addition to commercial and cultural partnerships, the two leaders held extensive talks on Middle Eastern geopolitics and international security. Discussions between Macron and bin Salman covered the war in Iran and regional security concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. The two delegations also examined potential new energy supply routes intended to bypass the strategic chokepoint, linking geopolitical negotiations with bilateral economic deals.