Saudi Arabia’s Bold Six Billion Euro Entertainment Revolution Set to Transform Paris Tourism With New Theme Parks

Written By: Sanjana Dubey

Sanjana Dubey

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August 25, 2026 11:57 AM |

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Saudi Arabia plans a proposed €6 billion theme park venture near Paris to help Saudi Arabia advance their global tourism and entertainment industries. Saudi Arabia is considering a €6 billion, or $7 billion, investment to enter the French leisure and tourism market with 3 new theme parks outside of Paris. This venture would be one of the largest entertainment investments by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia outside of their country. This could create an entirely new travel destination in the Paris region.

France and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding covering the proposed development. The project is expected to be led by Qiddiya Investment Company, which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Development is planned near Cergy-Pontoise, around 30 kilometres northwest of central Paris.

The three parks are expected to be developed gradually over several years. While the full design, construction schedule and opening timetable have not yet been released, the scale of the proposed investment signals an ambitious long-term project that could reshape tourism and entertainment activity around the French capital.

Three Theme Parks Planned Near the French Capital

The development would introduce three large entertainment parks in an area already connected to the wider Paris metropolitan region. Their location near Cergy-Pontoise could give visitors another major leisure option beyond the attractions traditionally associated with central Paris.

The project remains at an early stage, and detailed plans for the individual parks have not yet been fully disclosed. However, one of the three attractions is expected to feature a manga-inspired theme.

The concepts for the other two parks have not been publicly confirmed. Further information is expected as planning progresses and the development moves from the agreement stage towards detailed design and construction.

No official opening date has been announced.

Manga Attraction Could Become a Major Visitor Draw

The manga-focused park could become one of the most distinctive features of the development.

Japanese animation, manga and related entertainment have built enormous audiences across Europe, particularly among younger travellers and families. A large dedicated attraction near Paris could therefore appeal to both French visitors and international tourists.

Earlier discussions had raised the possibility of a major attraction connected to well-known Japanese entertainment franchises. However, official information currently confirms only that one park is expected to follow a manga theme. It has not been formally established which specific franchise or intellectual property will be used.

That distinction remains important as detailed commercial and licensing agreements could influence the park’s final identity.

Project Could Create Around 22,000 Direct Jobs

Employment is expected to become one of the biggest economic effects of the proposed investment.

French authorities estimate that the development could generate approximately 22,000 direct jobs. That would place the employment impact of the project close to the scale of some of Europe’s largest existing theme park operations.

Thousands of additional workers could also be required during the construction phase, although a separate official estimate for temporary construction employment has not yet been confirmed.

Once operational, the parks could require staff across hospitality, food and beverage services, entertainment, security, retail, technical operations, maintenance and visitor management.

The surrounding region could also experience greater demand for hotels, restaurants, transport services and other tourism-related businesses if visitor numbers reach the levels expected from a development of this size.

Paris Tourism Could Gain a Powerful New Attraction Cluster

Paris already ranks among the world’s most recognisable tourism destinations. Its museums, monuments, historic districts, shopping areas and cultural institutions attract travellers throughout the year.

Large theme parks outside the city centre have also become an important part of the wider Paris tourism economy.

Adding three more major attractions could strengthen this position and encourage visitors to spend additional days in the region. Tourists who originally planned a traditional city break could potentially extend their stay to include entertainment parks outside central Paris.

This could create opportunities for hotels in western and northwestern parts of the metropolitan area while supporting rail, road and local public transport demand.

The project could also increase competition across Europe’s theme park and family holiday market.

Saudi Arabia Expands Its Global Entertainment Investment

The proposed French development reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing focus on entertainment, tourism, sport and leisure as part of its wider economic diversification strategy.

Through Vision 2030, the kingdom has been developing new industries while reducing its long-term dependence on oil revenues.

Entertainment has become one of the key areas receiving significant investment.

Qiddiya Investment Company is already developing a large entertainment, sports and tourism destination near Riyadh. That project includes a broad mix of attractions intended to increase domestic tourism and establish Saudi Arabia as a major international leisure destination.

An investment near Paris would expand that strategy beyond the kingdom and provide Saudi-backed entertainment businesses with a significant presence in one of Europe’s most established visitor markets.

Public Investment Fund Continues International Expansion

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has become increasingly active across international industries, including tourism, hospitality, sport, technology and entertainment.

The proposed €6 billion theme park development demonstrates how entertainment investments can now form part of wider economic and tourism relationships between countries.

For France, the project could provide new infrastructure, jobs and visitor spending.

For Saudi Arabia, it could strengthen international commercial links while expanding the global footprint of its tourism and leisure companies.

The development also shows how sovereign investment funds are becoming increasingly influential within the international visitor economy.

France and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Commercial Links

The theme park agreement forms part of broader economic cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia.

The project developed from earlier discussions between the two countries and was included among several commercial initiatives linked to strengthened bilateral relations.

The size of the proposed investment makes the entertainment development particularly significant. At approximately €6 billion, it would represent a substantial commitment to France’s leisure economy and one of the most ambitious new tourism developments proposed around Paris in recent years.

However, several important details remain unresolved.

Authorities have not yet announced the precise construction timetable, final park designs, official attraction names, individual project budgets or confirmed opening dates.

Planning approvals, infrastructure requirements and detailed commercial agreements will also be important as the development moves forward.

A Potential New Tourism Landmark for Greater Paris

If fully delivered, the three-park complex could become a major new component of Greater Paris tourism.

Its impact could extend far beyond theme park visitors. Hotels, transport providers, restaurants, retailers and other tourism businesses could benefit from increased activity around Cergy-Pontoise and neighbouring communities.

The proposed investment also illustrates the changing geography of major global entertainment projects. Large tourism developments are increasingly being supported by international capital and designed to attract visitors from multiple continents rather than relying only on domestic demand.

With about €6 billion planned for three parks and around 22,000 direct jobs projected, the project has the scale to become a major addition to France’s visitor economy.

Much will depend on final planning, construction and the concepts chosen for the attractions. Yet the agreement already signals a significant new connection between Saudi investment and European tourism, with the Paris region positioned to host one of the kingdom’s most ambitious overseas entertainment ventures.