On August 24, France and Saudi Arabia announced an ambitious venture: a six-billion-euro investment to develop three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise, just 30 kilometers northwest of Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron described this initiative as unprecedented, highlighting its significance for both nations.
A Monumental Partnership
The announcement coincided with a two-day visit to France by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Macron expressed gratitude on social media, noting that this project is expected to create *22,000 jobs, the likes of which have not been seen since Disneyland Paris*. He commended Saudi Arabia and Qiddiya, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, for their belief in France’s future and potential. This grand undertaking reportedly stemmed from discussions between Macron and the crown prince in December 2024, during which they discovered a mutual interest in manga, particularly *Dragon Ball Z*. While the park dedicated to this iconic franchise is anticipated, the themes for the other two parks remain undisclosed.
Long-term Development Plans
The construction of these parks will progress in stages over several years, with the exact timeline for completion still under wraps. Interestingly, when questioned about the implications of partnering with Riyadh amid ongoing human rights criticisms, the presidency refrained from commenting on the issue and emphasized that attracting investment does not involve assessing the values of partner nations. Alongside this primary project, two additional contracts were initiated with French companies during the prince’s visit. One contract with CMA CGM, a shipping firm, aims to develop the port of Jeddah, valued at 434 million dollars. The second, worth 580 million dollars, involves rail transport group Alstom for the provision of metro trains in Riyadh.
Contentious Diplomatic Relations
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s trip marks one of his rare outings abroad, as he usually travels only for significant international engagements. His recent visit to Paris follows almost a year without a foreign trip. Macron hosted him at the Esports World Cup and engaged in discussions that covered various strategic matters, including the tense situation in the Middle East. However, this diplomatic visit attracted considerable backlash in France. Journalists’ unions protested against hosting the crown prince, recalling ongoing investigations into allegations of torture and enforced disappearances linked to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist and critic of the royal family residing in the U.S., was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. His dismembered body has never been located, and U.S. intelligence reports implicated Mohammed bin Salman in the assassination. A United Nations inquiry classified the incident as an extrajudicial killing for which Saudi Arabia is accountable. Macron had been among the first Western leaders to meet the prince post-Khashoggi’s assassination and has welcomed him to France several times since.
Strategic Economic Initiative: “Choose France”
In his online statement, Macron referred to the *Choose France* initiative, underscoring its role in facilitating this significant investment. He described the program as a means to attract prominent projects, create jobs, and bolster France’s international standing. Since the inception of *Choose France* in 2018, over 230 projects worth approximately 87 billion euros have been announced, creating thousands of jobs. France has consistently led Europe in foreign investments, securing 852 projects last year alone, despite a challenging global landscape. While the nation excels in artificial intelligence initiatives, other sectors, such as automotive and chemicals, have faced challenges.
This monumental investment agreement is poised to reshape both the economic and cultural landscape of France, fostering a new era of collaboration between these two nations.