French officials and Qiddiya Investment Company have been negotiating since April over a plan to revive the former Mirapolis amusement park, about 30 kilometers from Paris, as a Dragon Ball-themed destination. Talks have advanced, but no agreement has been finalized, and there is no set opening timeline. The project, if realized, could involve an investment exceeding one billion euros, information from Politico, but neither a confirmed budget nor a construction schedule has been made public.
Once envisioned as a French answer to Disneyland, the Mirapolis site has stood empty for 35 years after closing in 1991 because of disappointing visitor numbers. Its most memorable feature, a giant statue of Gargantua, could soon give way to attractions inspired by Dragon Ball. The Saudi-backed Qiddiya group, already developing a massive Dragon Ball park in Saudi Arabia, is seen as the driving force behind the French proposal. Announced in 2024, the Saudi project will cover more than 500,000 square meters, with seven themed zones and a 70-meter Shenron statue housing a roller coaster. The French version is expected to be smaller, but its design remains unclear, including the attractions and who will operate it.
Negotiations Without Certainty
Official documents confirm that France and Qiddiya have been exploring a major leisure project since at least May 2025, when a memorandum was signed as part of the Choose France initiative. The agreement referred to a large-scale tourism and entertainment venture but gave no concrete figures and did not name Mirapolis or Dragon Ball. Recent reports have linked those early talks to the Val-d’Oise site. Several meetings have involved the Elysée and officials across regional and municipal government, with economic agencies also taking part, but none have publicly confirmed the project's specifics or approved a final deal.
Challenges for the Community
Reviving Mirapolis would require resolving impressive logistical and social issues. Poor transport links, a factor blamed for the site's original commercial failure, remain a concern. Upgrades to road access and RER A train connections are under discussion, alongside work on the electricity supply and the acquisition of land. Another major challenge is the presence of 300 to 400 people, including around 100 households, who currently live on the former parking lots, some for nearly a decade. No public plan for their relocation has been announced, raising concerns among local residents and officials.
Uncertain Economic Impact
The potential for job creation and tourism is impressive: Disneyland Paris, for example, employs up to 20,000 people during peak season. But there are no official estimates for jobs or visitor numbers, and no assessment of economic activity linked to the Mirapolis project. Without a signed agreement, clear investment figures or a construction calendar, the site's future remains uncertain. Local hopes for a new era coexist with doubts about infrastructure and municipal involvement, as well as the fate of families living on the grounds.
Context and Broader Trends
The Mirapolis story reflects a wider trend of reimagining abandoned leisure sites across Europe. In Switzerland, for instance, access rules and pricing for public pools have changed in response to shifting visitor patterns, as reported in coverage of Porrentruy's outdoor pool reopening. The fate of Mirapolis will depend on whether French authorities and Qiddiya can overcome the site's complex legacy and deliver a project that balances investment with local needs, while accounting for the realities of large-scale tourism development.
