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World
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 3 min read
France and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding on August 24, 2026, to develop three theme parks in Cergy-Pontoise near Paris. Riyadh plans to invest €6 billion, with the project expected to create 22,000 direct jobs. One park could focus on manga, potentially Dragon Ball, and occupy the former Mirapolis site in Val-d’Oise. The themes of the other two parks have not been disclosed. Construction is expected to span several years, but no precise schedule or opening dates have been announced.
France and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding on August 24, 2026, to create three theme parks in Cergy-Pontoise, in the Paris region, according to France 24.
Saudi investment is expected to total €6 billion. The project is also expected to create 22,000 direct jobs.
One park could be dedicated to manga, potentially Dragon Ball. It would occupy the site of the former Mirapolis park in Val-d’Oise, which closed 35 years ago.
The themes of the other two parks have not been specified. Construction is expected to take place over several years, but no schedule has been set.
According to an adviser to the French presidency, the project emerged from a conversation between Emmanuel Macron and Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh in December 2024.
The two leaders discovered that they shared an interest in manga, particularly Dragon Ball Z.
Macron received Mohammed bin Salman at the Élysée Palace on August 24, 2026. The visit addressed regional crises and closer economic relations between France and Saudi Arabia.
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Several agreements were signed, including measures to strengthen the defense partnership. Contracts also involved the French groups CMA CGM and Alstom.
CMA CGM is a French container shipping company that also operates logistics services.
On August 23, the two leaders attended the Esports World Cup final in Paris. The annual series of international esports tournaments was being held outside Saudi Arabia for the first time.
The August 24 discussions were due to cover Gaza, a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, energy, defense and shifting power balances in the Middle East.
A ministerial meeting was expected to examine the diversification of energy supply routes while, according to France 24, the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked by Iran.
In July 2025, France and Saudi Arabia co-chaired a United Nations conference intended to revive the two-state solution and support recognition of a Palestinian state.
The conference also included commitments concerning reform of the Palestinian Authority and the disarmament of Hamas.
US intelligence implicated Mohammed bin Salman in the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The crown prince has always denied ordering the killing.
provocation
— Several French journalists’ unions
Several French journalists’ unions condemned Mohammed bin Salman’s August 24, 2026 visit and described it as a “provocation.”
The memorandum of understanding provides for their development in Cergy-Pontoise, in the Paris region.
Saudi Arabia plans to invest €6 billion.
The project is expected to create 22,000 direct jobs.
No. One of the parks could focus on manga, potentially Dragon Ball.
No dates have been set. Construction is expected to span several years.