France and Saudi Arabia agree to 6 billion euro theme park project

Dragon Ball theme park Saudi investment Qiddiya Investment Company Cergy-Pontoise manga tourism

France and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a massive theme park complex near Paris, specifically in the Cergy-Pontoise area on the former site of Mirapolis. The project, announced during the official visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to France, is estimated to involve an investment of approximately 6 billion euros and is expected to create 22,000 jobs.

The development is intended to feature three theme parks, with one prominently focused on the Dragon Ball manga franchise. The project is being financed by the Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), as part of the Kingdom's strategy to diversify its economy.

Despite the high-profile announcement by President Emmanuel Macron, several critical details remain unconfirmed. Reports indicate that the agreement is currently a protocol of understanding rather than a finalized contract. Furthermore, the project has not yet secured the necessary licensing agreements from Japanese rights holders, including Toei Animation, Bird Studio, and the estate of Akira Toriyama. Some observers suggest the public announcement may be an attempt to exert pressure on these rights holders to finalize terms.

Entities

Cergy-Pontoise · Emmanuel Macron · Mohammed bin Salman · Public Investment Fund · Qiddiya Investment Company · Toei Animation

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The project has not yet secured licensing agreements from Japanese rights holders including Toei Animation, Bird Studio, and the Akira Toriyama estate. juste-milieu.fr · www.ibtimes.co.uk
[● 6 SOURCES] The development is planned to include three theme parks. juste-milieu.fr · parc-loisir.fr · www.dreuz.com · www.liputan6.com · www.publicsenat.fr · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] France and Saudi Arabia have agreed to build a $7 billion manga-themed amusement park near Paris. www.staradvertiser.com
[● 7 SOURCES] The project involves a 6 billion euro investment and is expected to create 22,000 jobs. juste-milieu.fr · parc-loisir.fr · www.dreuz.com · www.liputan6.com · www.parksmania.it · +2 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The current agreement is a memorandum of understanding rather than a formal contract. juste-milieu.fr
[● 6 SOURCES] The project is funded by Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). juste-milieu.fr · parc-loisir.fr · www.liputan6.com · www.parksmania.it · www.publicsenat.fr · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The theme parks are planned for the site of the former Mirapolis park in Courdimanche, near Cergy-Pontoise. parc-loisir.fr · www.liputan6.com · www.parksmania.it · www.publicsenat.fr · actu.fr
[● 3 SOURCES] The agreement was announced during the official visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Paris. parc-loisir.fr · www.liputan6.com · www.staradvertiser.com