Saudi Arabia is set to invest €6bn in the development of three theme parks near Paris, in one of the most significant attraction announcements for the French visitor economy since the arrival of Disneyland Paris.
The proposed development will be located in Cergy-Pontoise, northwest of the French capital, on the former Mirapolis theme park site. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the agreement following discussions in Paris with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with the scheme expected to be led by Qiddiya.
For the global attractions sector, the scale of the investment is notable. A multi-park development close to Paris would add substantial capacity to one of the world’s most mature tourism markets, while creating a new leisure destination within reach of an established international gateway city.
Macron has indicated that the parks could support 22,000 jobs, underlining the expected economic role of the project. For developers, operators and suppliers, the scheme could generate major demand across masterplanning, design, themed environments, technical systems, live entertainment, hospitality, retail, operations and transport planning.
Former Theme Park Site Gains Renewed Strategic Value
The use of the former Mirapolis site gives the project added significance. Mirapolis opened in the late 1980s but closed after only a short operating life, leaving a location with historic relevance to French theme park development.
Reusing the site for a new generation of attractions would require a different commercial and creative approach from previous models. Today’s large destination projects are expected to combine intellectual property, food and beverage, events, retail, accommodation, public realm and digital engagement within a broader destination strategy.
The planned inclusion of a manga-themed attraction points to the growing importance of globally recognised cultural content in the attractions market. Manga and related media have strong international appeal, particularly among younger audiences, and can support retail, events, live entertainment and character-led programming when developed with a clear licensing and design strategy.
For B2B audiences, the project will be watched closely for how it balances local French context with international pop culture and Saudi-backed destination development expertise.
Regional Support And Economic Ambition
Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France regional council, has welcomed the proposed investment and said the region had supported the project over the previous 18 months. Her response reflects the importance of the scheme to regional job creation and tourism competitiveness.
France already has a leading position in global tourism, but major attraction investment remains important for extending stay length, increasing repeat visitation and distributing economic activity beyond central Paris. A successful Cergy-Pontoise destination could support hotel demand, transport usage, retail spend and local employment across the wider region.
The project also signals a further step in Saudi Arabia’s international role within the leisure and entertainment sector. Through Qiddiya and related investment vehicles, Saudi-backed projects are becoming increasingly visible in global destination development, not only within the Kingdom but also in mature European markets.
Implications For The Visitor Experience Supply Chain
For companies involved in attraction design, experience production and destination operations, the Paris proposal could create a major procurement opportunity if it progresses through planning and delivery.
A three-park development at this scale would require specialist input across ride systems, show design, scenic production, landscape design, accessibility, crowd flow, AV integration, sustainability planning, ticketing, security, training and long-term operations.
It would also enter a competitive European attractions market that already includes major parks, cultural destinations and city-based leisure operators. Success will depend on distinct positioning, strong content strategy, transport integration and phased delivery that can build confidence among partners and investors.
As details emerge, the Saudi-backed Cergy-Pontoise project is likely to become a major reference point for international theme park investment, cross-border tourism development and the continued growth of experience-led destinations in Europe.
