France, Aug. 24 -- The French presidency's Elysee Palace said the agreement for the "colossal" project was signed during a two-day visit to France by Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The investment will see the construction of three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise, some 30 kilometres northwest of Paris, it said.

French President Emmanuel Macron on X hailed the "unprecedented announcement", saying the attractions would be a "new global destination".

The project will be led by investment firm Qiddiya, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.

The parks are expected to create some 22,000 direct jobs, compared with around 20,000 generated by Disneyland Paris, according to the presidency.

The pr...