The former Mirapolis amusement park site in Courdimanche, in France's Val-d'Oise region, could be redeveloped into a theme park based on the Dragon Ball franchise, 35 years after the original park shut down. Discussions are underway between French authorities and Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund.
Several meetings have taken place since April involving the Elysee Palace, the Ile-de-France region, local municipalities, French and regional attractiveness agencies, and Qiddiya Investment Company. A source close to the matter, confirming reporting by Politico, described the project as well advanced, though no official announcement has been made. The investment amount is unknown but could exceed one billion euros, according to Politico.
Travellers living on the land
The project has raised concerns among Traveller families who have lived on the several-dozen-hectare site for more than nine years. Alfred Duvaux said around a hundred households currently live there and about twenty children are enrolled in schools in neighbouring towns. His brother Gilles said they know nothing about the plans, and called for a relocation option elsewhere if the families are forced to leave.
The Elysee has not confirmed any information. Courdimanche's town hall and the Cergy-Pontoise urban area have not confirmed the project either, and the Val-d'Oise and Ile-de-France prefectures did not respond to requests. Val-d'Oise lawmaker Aurelien Tache, of the France Unbowed party, called for genuine consultation with elected officials, associations and residents.
Local officials divided
Opposition councillor Maryeme Bouslam criticized the approach, saying the project came from the Elysee without prior consultation of residents, neighbouring towns and their representatives. She argued instead for a cultural, university or research hub. An observer from the Communist group on the regional council said transport access to the site would need significant improvement, adding that the investment could benefit employment but calling for guarantees on consultation and environmental protection.
Mirapolis opened in 1987 around French legends and tales, with a giant statue of Gargantua as its emblem. It drew only 800,000 visitors in its first year against an expected two million, and closed permanently in 1991 after facing competition from Parc Asterix. Some remnants of the park still stand on the site.
