A megaproject. Emmanuel Macron received, on Monday August 24, the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, for a visit devoted to the crises in the Middle East, but also to economic rapprochement, with the announcement of a “colossal” project financed by Riyadh to create three amusement parks near Paris, including one on the world of manga.
The arrival of Mohammed ben Salman in Paris made it possible to materialize the discussions, which had filtered during the summer, to create a park potentially dedicated to “Dragon Ball” on the site of the former Mirapolis park in Val-d’Oise, closed 35 years ago with its enormous Gargantua.
The de facto leader of Saudi Arabia was welcomed Monday afternoon at the Élysée where several agreements were signed, in particular to strengthen the defense partnership, but also contracts involving the French CMA-CGM or Alstom.
But the spotlight was shined by Emmanuel Macron on an “unprecedented announcement”: “6 billion euros of investments” from Saudi Arabia for the creation of three amusement parks in Cergy-Pontoise, with ‘22,000 direct jobs’ expected. “Never seen before since Disneyland Paris,” he said on X.
This project “was born from a discussion between the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron and the Crown Prince in December 2024” in Riyadh, when they discovered their “common passion” for manga “and in particular Dragon Ball Z”, added an advisor to the Élysée.
The themes of the other two parks have not been specified. The project is expected to extend over several years, with no timetable defined at this stage.
Human rights report
Asked about entrusting Riyadh with the construction of these parks, despite criticism of its human rights record, the French presidency highlighted that France would be the “beneficiary” of this project. “At no time when we attract a project do we seek to give lessons elsewhere,” was the simple response.
Mohammed bin Salman has traveled a spectacular path in just a few years: blamed by American intelligence for the 2018 assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, a time isolated on the international scene, he is now a strategic partner courted by the great powers. The man nicknamed “MBS” has always denied having ordered this murder.
Also readKhashoggi assassination: French judge to investigate after complaint against MBS
His reception at the Élysée in July 2022 aroused the anger of human rights NGOs. Several French journalists’ unions have this time again denounced the visit, described as “provocation”.
The war launched by Russia in Ukraine in February 2022 and the energy upheavals have reminded us of the weight of Riyadh, a major player in the oil market, while the kingdom seeks to strengthen its diplomatic autonomy by developing its relations with Washington, Beijing and Moscow.
“MBS”, essential
From Iran to Lebanon via energy and defense, “MBS” has become an essential interlocutor in the Middle East. Paris intends to preserve its influence in the region while developing an economic relationship set to grow between the two countries.
After attending together, on Sunday evening, in Paris, the final of the Esports World Cup, organized for the first time outside Saudi Arabia, the Head of State and the prince chaired, on Monday, the first meeting of the Franco-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, created during Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Riyadh at the end of 2024.
Gaza and the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, Lebanon, Syria as well as the restructuring of balances in the Middle East were to be at the heart of the discussions. At ministerial level, a meeting was to look into the diversification of energy supply routes, while the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic transit route, remains blocked by Iran.
On the diplomatic front, Saudi Arabia and France co-chaired an international conference at the UN in July 2025 aimed at relaunching the two-state solution and creating momentum in favor of the recognition of the Palestinian state, with commitments on the reform of the Palestinian Authority, the disarmament of Hamas and the security of Israel.
The two countries are also to co-host a conference to support the Lebanese armed forces and the territorial integrity of Lebanon, which was postponed indefinitely in March due to the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran.
With AFP
