PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron announced a €6 billion Saudi-backed investment to develop three theme parks in Cergy-Pontoise, northwest of Paris, describing the project as unprecedented and the biggest development of its kind in France since Disneyland Paris.Macron on Monday said the project, backed by Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya, is expected to create 22,000 jobs and establish a new global entertainment destination in France. “An extraordinary announcement,” Macron said in a post on X. “With Saudi Arabia, we are making an unprecedented announcement.”The French president said three theme parks would be developed in Cergy-Pontoise under the €6 billion investment, adding that the scale of the project had not been seen in France since Disneyland Paris.“A new global destination. Here, in France,” Macron said, thanking Qiddiya and Saudi Arabia for their confidence in France, its talent and its economic future.The announcement came during Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to France, further expanding economic and investment ties between Riyadh and Paris.The project will include a major theme park inspired by the Japanese manga and anime franchise Dragon Ball, according to details reported following the announcement. It will be financed by Qiddiya as part of the Saudi entertainment developer’s growing international footprint.Macron linked the investment to France’s “Choose France” initiative, which seeks to attract major international investments and create jobs across the country.“This is the very essence of Choose France: to seek out the most ambitious projects and make France the country where they become reality. To create jobs. To make France shine,” he said.Macron launched the Choose France Summit in 2018 as a flagship initiative to attract foreign investment. According to the Élysée Palace, the initiative had facilitated more than 230 investment decisions totaling nearly €87 billion before its ninth edition in June 2026. The Saudi-backed development would represent one of the largest recent investments in France’s leisure and entertainment sector. Macron drew a direct comparison with Disneyland Paris, which has attracted more than €13 billion in investment since opening in 1992 and supports tens of thousands of jobs. Qiddiya is a Public Investment Fund portfolio company and a central component of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to develop its entertainment, sports and culture sectors. Its flagship Qiddiya City development near Riyadh includes Six Flags Qiddiya City, Aquarabia, a gaming and esports district and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium. Macron concluded his announcement by signaling further ambitions for attracting international investment to France.“We’re not done surprising the world,” he said. “Very proud of this achievement.”