France and Saudi Arabia have announced plans for a new €6 billion entertainment destination near Paris, marking one of the most ambitious tourism investments proposed for Europe in recent decades.
The project was unveiled during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s official visit to France on 24 August 2026, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace. The discussions highlighted the growing strategic partnership between the two countries, with tourism, entertainment and investment emerging as key areas of cooperation.
A Major Multi-Park Destination Planned for Cergy-Pontoise
At the centre of the announcement is a large-scale entertainment destination planned for Cergy-Pontoise in the Île-de-France region, approximately 30 kilometres north-west of central Paris.
Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Investment Company plans to create an integrated leisure destination combining entertainment, hospitality, culture, sport and immersive experiences. Current proposals include up to three major entertainment anchors, supported by hotels and additional leisure facilities.
The development represents an estimated investment of around €6 billion throughout its construction and expansion phases, positioning it among Europe’s largest upcoming tourism projects.
One of the most talked-about elements is a potential attraction inspired by the globally popular Japanese manga and anime franchise Dragon Ball. Reports surrounding the announcement suggest that a Dragon Ball-themed park could become a major feature of the destination, connecting the project with the rapidly growing international market for anime-based entertainment.
The Project Could Create 22,000 Jobs and Transform Regional Tourism
Beyond entertainment, the development is expected to deliver significant economic benefits for the Paris region.
The destination could create approximately 22,000 jobs while strengthening Cergy-Pontoise’s role as an emerging leisure hub within Île-de-France. Its scale would place it alongside some of Europe’s most significant theme park investments in recent history.
Unlike a traditional single theme park, the proposed development appears designed as a complete destination where visitors can stay, explore and experience multiple attractions over several days.
Hotels, dining concepts and supporting leisure facilities will therefore play an important role in attracting international visitors and extending their time in the region.
Qiddiya Brings Saudi Arabia’s Entertainment Ambitions to Europe
The investment comes from Qiddiya Investment Company, a major driver of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the Kingdom’s economy through tourism, entertainment and lifestyle destinations.
Qiddiya City, located near Riyadh, represents one of the world’s largest entertainment developments. The destination is planned to include theme parks, sports venues, gaming experiences, hospitality offerings and large-scale attractions designed around experiential tourism.
The French project reflects Qiddiya’s ambition to expand its expertise beyond Saudi Arabia and participate in major international tourism markets.
Dragon Ball Theme Park Could Become a Signature Attraction
Dragon Ball has already become an important part of Qiddiya’s entertainment strategy.
Within Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia is developing a dedicated Dragon Ball Theme Park covering more than 500,000 square metres. The planned attraction includes themed zones, major rides, hotels and immersive environments inspired by locations from the franchise.
The experience provides an indication of the scale and ambition that Qiddiya could bring to its French development. However, the final attractions, design concepts and intellectual property partnerships for the Paris-area project have not yet been confirmed.
A New Tourism Rival for Europe’s Theme Park Market
The announcement could have major implications for France’s tourism sector.
Paris already attracts millions of leisure visitors each year and is home to Disneyland Paris, one of Europe’s leading theme park destinations. A new multi-billion-euro attraction combining entertainment brands, hotels, culture and leisure experiences could further expand the region’s appeal.
By creating a destination rather than simply an amusement park, the project could encourage international travellers to spend more time in the Paris region and explore experiences beyond the city centre.
Saudi Arabia Expands Its Global Tourism Footprint
The project also highlights Saudi Arabia’s increasing role in global tourism, sport and entertainment.
In recent years, Saudi-backed companies have invested heavily in domestic attractions while seeking opportunities to export destination development expertise internationally. By combining significant investment capacity with globally recognised entertainment brands, the Kingdom is becoming a more visible player in the global leisure market.
For Saudi Arabia, the Paris-area development would provide a European platform for Qiddiya and strengthen its international entertainment presence.
For France, the project offers foreign investment, employment opportunities and the possibility of creating another world-class tourism attraction close to one of the planet’s most visited cities.
A Potential Landmark European Leisure Development
No opening date has been announced, and construction is expected to take several years. The final scope of attractions and facilities will also depend on future planning and development decisions.
Nevertheless, with a proposed investment of approximately €6 billion, up to three major entertainment anchors and a potential Dragon Ball centrepiece, the Cergy-Pontoise destination could become one of Europe’s most significant new leisure and tourism projects.
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