France and Saudi Arabia have agreed to build a €6 billion manga-themed amusement park near Paris, inspired by Dragon Ball Z. Announced on August 24, 2026, by the Élysée Palace, the massive development near Cergy-Pontoise will feature three theme parks and is expected to create approximately 22,000 jobs.
From a Shared Fandom to a €6 Billion Investment Near Paris
What began as a shared appreciation for Japanese animation between world leaders has crystallized into one of Europe’s most ambitious leisure projects. France and Saudi Arabia have agreed on plans for a massive manga-themed amusement complex. The initiative emerged after French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discovered their mutual enthusiasm for Dragon Ball Z during a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia in 2025.
The project was formally announced by the Élysée Palace on August 24, 2026, during the Saudi Crown Prince’s high-profile state visit to the French capital. French officials presented the development not only as a cultural milestone but as definitive proof of the country’s enduring appeal to international investors. Macron himself hailed the move by drawing a comparison to Disneyland Paris.
The French president also marked the announcement on social media, posting on X that you know my interest for mangas.
Scale, Financing, and the Roadmap for Cergy-Pontoise
The sprawling development will take shape near Cergy-Pontoise, situated northwest of Paris. According to local reports and Élysée briefings, the complex is expected to encompass three distinct theme parks built in stages over several years. While construction will require an extended timeline, no public opening date has been announced yet.
Financial backing for the €6 billion—or approximately $7 billion—undertaking comes from the Saudi entertainment and investment group Qiddiya. The vast financial commitment aligns directly with the kingdom’s wider economic strategy to diversify its revenue streams away from oil dependence and expand its footprint in global tourism and leisure.
Regional economic impact is projected to be substantial. French authorities estimate that the multi-park initiative will create around 22,000 jobs, providing a major boost to employment and construction sectors in the greater Paris region.
Diplomatic Context and the Esports World Cup Gathering
The park announcement coincided with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s rare official visit to France. The two leaders appeared together in public at the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup in Paris. The gaming tournament had been relocated to the French capital from Riyadh due to security concerns stemming from ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Beyond pop culture ventures and gaming tournaments, the state visit served as a platform for broader bilateral talks. The leaders were scheduled to sign agreements covering health, transport, and energy, alongside high-level discussions addressing regional security crises, including the situation involving Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon, Syria, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Emphasizing the geopolitical importance of the partnership, Macron stated that France and Saudi Arabia have always worked together to promote peace and stability.
Controversy and Freedom of the Press Criticisms
While government officials touted the economic benefits of the visit, the diplomatic outreach drew sharp condemnation from French labor groups. Major French journalist syndicates, including the SNJ, SNJ-CGT, CFDT-Journalistes, and SGJ-FO, issued statements denouncing the crown prince’s presence as a provocation toward defenders of press freedom.
Critics pointed to ongoing legal actions and international investigations surrounding the 2018 assassination of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Associations including Trial International and Reporters Without Borders filed a legal complaint in 2021 accusing the crown prince of torture and enforced disappearances, a case that remains in the investigative stage.
Journalist organizations also highlighted current press freedom conditions in the kingdom, noting that 18 journalists are currently imprisoned in Saudi Arabia according to tracking data from Reporters Without Borders. The French presidency did not clarify whether human rights issues were formally raised during the bilateral meetings.
Precedent and What Remains Unresolved
The Paris project follows a previous announcement made in 2024 detailing plans for a Dragon Ball theme park currently under development within Qiddiya City near Riyadh.
Despite the grand scale of the newly minted Paris agreement, several vital operational questions are left unanswered. The Élysée Palace has not established a timeline for breaking ground, nor has it provided a target year for when visitors might walk through the park gates. With multiple design and logistical components still under negotiation, the timeline for Europe’s future anime capital remains entirely open.
