France, Saudi Arabia ink $7 billion theme park deal near Paris

France and Saudi Arabia have agreed to develop a major theme park complex valued at approximately $7 billion in the vicinity of Paris, marking a significant expansion of economic ties between the two nations. The announcement came during a high-profile visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who held talks with French officials on strengthening cooperation across multiple strategic sectors.

The theme park initiative is part of a comprehensive package of bilateral agreements that underscore deepening partnerships between Paris and Riyadh. Beyond entertainment and tourism, the deals address critical areas including energy security, defence capabilities, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence—sectors where both nations are seeking enhanced collaboration.

The project's scale reflects Saudi Arabia's continued diversification efforts and ambitious investment in international ventures, while signalling France's receptiveness to major capital inflows from Gulf partners. The theme park would represent a substantial addition to the leisure and tourism infrastructure in the Paris region, one of Europe's most visited destinations.

The agreements come as Gulf states increasingly deploy sovereign wealth toward Western infrastructure and entertainment assets as part of long-term economic strategies. For France, the investment portfolio addresses both economic development goals and broader geopolitical considerations in maintaining strong relationships with key Middle Eastern partners.