According to 20 Minutes, the Dragon Ball park project has been under study for several months around the former Mirapolis site, in Courdimanche, in Val-d’Oise.
The Île-de-France Region has been working on this file for about 18 months, while discussions are ongoing with Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund (PIF).
TF1 Info reports that Valérie Pécresse confirmed on Monday, August 24 the existence of this project and indicated that the Region was now awaiting a possible signature. The president mentions a project that could be « of the scale of Disney ».
Dragon Ball Park: a project not yet official
The site of the former Mirapolis amusement park, closed in 1991, could thus regain a role in tourism and leisure. The proposed project would be devoted to the world of the Dragon Ball manga, but several elements still need to be clarified, notably its timeline, its financing, and the modalities of its realization.
According to TF1 Info, no definitive signature had yet been announced as of August 24. The project must in particular be discussed within the framework of exchanges between the French and Saudi authorities.
The Region is meanwhile working on the conditions that would allow hosting a tourist facility of this magnitude. The question of the site’s accessibility is among the issues identified around the former Mirapolis.
Hyatt et le promoteur portugais Coporgest ont conclu des accords portant sur le développement, le branding et l’exploitation du Park Hyatt Comporta et des Park Hyatt Comporta Residences.
Located in the Alentejo region, within less than an hour from Lisbon Airport, the forthcoming property is expected to strengthen Hyatt’s presence in Europe.
The Park Hyatt Comporta is expected to comprise 58 rooms and suites, six private two-bedroom villas, and 22 fully managed residences. The project also envisions several restaurants, pools, a wellness area with a fitness center, a padel court, and a children’s club..
Un projet tourné vers le bord de mer
The future hotel will be located near Troia Golf Course, an 18-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Four additional golf courses will be accessible within a 20-minute drive.
To read: The Hotel Palace Berlin joins Hyatt
The residences are intended for private ownership; owners will benefit from the hotel’s services and facilities, as well as its hotel management.
The project is part of a broader development, the Comporta Beach Resort, which will also include 31 villas and 49 additional apartments under the designation Luxury Beach Residences by Coporgest.
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From Gargantua to Dragon Ball? Discussions are underway between French authorities and a Saudi investment company to install in Val-d’Oise a Dragon Ball theme park on the site of the former Mirapolis, which closed 35 years ago.
On the grounds, where at the end of the 1980s stood a colossal statue of Gargantua, the hero of François Rabelais, there remain only a few remnants of one of France’s first theme parks: a concrete block at the entrance, in memory of the old ticket office, and a little further, a fixed orange marquee, faded, almost swallowed by the surrounding vegetation.
A Dragon Ball project still secret, already very advanced
This multi-hectare site located in Courdimanche, one of the towns within the Cergy-Pontoise urban area, could host a new amusement park inspired by the famous Japanese manga Dragon Ball, according to a source close to the dossier confirming information from the news outlet Politico.
Several meetings have taken place since April between the Élysée, the Île-de-France region, the concerned municipalities, the French and Île-de-France attractiveness agencies, and the main investor, Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) dedicated to entertainment, sport, and culture. The project is “very well advanced”, according to this source, even though no official announcement has yet been made.
These high-level negotiations are worrying the families of travelers living on the site for more than nine years, among whom about twenty children “are enrolled in nearby municipalities”, AFP reported Alfred Duvaux, 66. “We know nothing”, added his brother Gilles, 75, “even the landowner wasn’t informed”.
If the leisure project were to come to fruition, “we would be really in trouble”, they lament. Because around a hundred households now live on the site, they say: white caravans, wooden huts, garden furniture, and inflatable pools for the children have found their home there. “Before you make us leave, you must find us another place”, notes the septuagenarian.
At this stage, contacted by AFP, the Élysée has not confirmed any information, just as the Courdimanche town hall or the Cergy-Pontoise metropolis have not. The prefectures of Val-d’Oise and Île-de-France have not responded to AFP’s inquiries.
The amount of the investment is also not known, but it could exceed one billion euros according to Politico, which claims that several ministers also participated in the meetings.
Residents and local officials demand guarantees
The LFI deputy for Val-d’Oise, Aurélien Taché, asked the regional prefect for “real consultation” with the elected representatives, associations and residents of the territory.
Maryeme Bouslam, opposition municipal councilor in Courdimanche, also laments “the method” of the project, which, in her view, “comes from the Élysée (…) without the prior consultation of residents, neighbouring towns and their representatives”.
She would rather favor turning the site into a cultural hub, a university hub or a research hub, “a realistic, durable and sustainable project for the population”.
A observer from the Communist group on the regional council, who did not wish to be named, warns of the need for an “appreciable improvement of the site’s accessibility”, recalling that “the park’s economic difficulties (Mirapolis, NDLR) stemmed from low attendance (…) and poor access”.
“Such an investment can present an opportunity in terms of employment” but “urgent guarantees must be provided regarding consultation and environmental protection”, the group also stated in a Monday press release.
Mirapolis, one of the first amusement parks in France built around the theme of French legends and tales, opened its doors in 1987. In its first year, it drew only 800,000 visitors, far fewer than the more than 2 million anticipated.
Then, challenged by the opening of Parc Astérix, it ultimately closed its doors in 1991, after just four years in operation.
The Marquenterre Park, in the Somme Bay, is testing an artificial intelligence tool capable of forecasting its attendance up to six months in advance.
The objective is to better anticipate peak crowds and optimize the site’s organization, while preserving this protected natural space.
With nearly 160,000 visitors welcomed each year, the Marquenterre Park is among the most visited natural sites in Hauts-de-France.
This appeal is nonetheless accompanied by peaks in attendance concentrated on certain days and time slots.
In this protected natural area, where the welcome is limited to 300 visitors per hour, these periods of high traffic can strain the conditions of reception, the teams and the various visitor services offered.
Until now, managing these peaks relied mainly on the observation and experience of the on-site teams.
Parc du Marquenterre: AI provides forecasts up to six months in advance
Developed as part of an experiment supported by the Destination France plan, the model is able to forecast attendance levels up to six months ahead, with forecasts broken down by hourly intervals.
To establish these projections, the tool crosses several types of data likely to influence tourist behavior: French and Belgian school holidays, public holidays, weather conditions, events held in the area or even snowfall in the mountain ranges, which can influence destination choices.
These data are then gathered into a dashboard for the park teams. This “pilot cockpit” allows visualizing expected crowd levels and their evolution over time.
The artificial intelligence does not directly make operational decisions. It provides teams with a forward-looking view of attendance to help them adjust their organization.
To read : Weekend of disconnect in the Bay of Somme
This can help better organize human resources, prepare the dining services and mobilize more resources during peaks of attendance.
“For as long as the Marquenterre Park has sought to find the right balance between tourist attractiveness and the preservation of its natural heritage, with this experiment we are taking a new step.
AI becomes a tool for the territory, able to help managers better understand visitor flows and anticipate their needs“, explains Emmanuel Maquet, president of the Destination Baie de Somme management.
The Marquenterre Park currently serves as the testing ground for this system. But the stated ambition goes beyond the site’s boundaries.
The project is among the 13 initiatives selected from 75 applications under the Destination France plan.
In the long term, the model could be enriched with new data to better understand visitors’ movements at the scale of the Bay of Somme.
Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor View all articles by Amelia Brille
In this article, we will explore in detail the various activities available to visitors of the Serengeti in Tanzania, thereby providing a comprehensive roadmap to make the most of this fascinating destination.
1. Vehicle Safaris (Game Drives)
Vehicle safaris are among the main activities when visiting Serengeti National Park. These excursions allow visitors to traverse different parts of the park in search of its iconic wildlife.
Safaris can be planned for the morning or the afternoon, with each period offering unique conditions for animal viewing. The Seronera area is particularly prized for its feline population, while the Western Corridor along the Grumeti River is an excellent zone for observing large predators and crocodiles.
2. The Great Migration
One of the park’s major attractions is the Great Migration, a natural phenomenon where millions of wildebeest, accompanied by zebras and gazelles, traverse the park in search of fresh pastures.
This spectacle occurs year-round, but certain periods, such as the Mara River crossings between July and October, are especially sought after for their dramatic intensity. Visitors can plan their visit around the migration calendar to maximize their chances of witnessing this spectacle.
3. Observation of the “Big Five”
Serengeti National Park is one of the best places in Africa to observe the famous “Big Five“: the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the buffalo, and the rhinoceros, although the latter is rare. Each of these species can be seen in different zones of the park, though their presence can never be guaranteed due to the vast territories these animals roam. Early morning or late afternoon safaris can increase the chances of spotting them.
4. Hot Air Balloon Flight
For a different vantage point of the Serengeti, visitors can opt for a sunrise hot-air balloon ride. This roughly 1 to 1.5-hour flight provides an aerial view of the landscape, allowing observation of the wildlife and park topology. At the end of the flight, a champagne breakfast in the savannah is often included, making this experience memorable and unique.
5. Cultural Visits and Encounters with the Maasai
In addition to wildlife, a visit to the Serengeti offers the opportunity to discover local culture by meeting the Maasai, an indigenous people living in the park’s peripheral areas. Although these visits are typically organized outside the park boundaries, they provide insight into the traditions and way of life of this community that coexists with the surrounding wildlife.
The Serengeti National Park offers a multitude of activities that allow visitors to immerse themselves in its unique landscapes and abundant wildlife. Whether for wildlife viewing, cultural exploration, or balloon panoramas, the Serengeti promises an unforgettable travel experience. By taking practical advice and recommendations into account, visitors can effectively plan their stay and make the most of their adventure in this exceptional site.
What are the tourist attractions of Serengeti National Park? Discovering the natural treasures of a unique ecosystem
Serengeti National Park is among Africa’s most iconic tourist attractions, renowned for its endless plains, Africa’s predators, and the spectacular Great Migration. A true sanctuary of the African savanna, this UNESCO-listed park draws travelers each year to observe the Big Five, hippos, Grant’s gazelles, and more than 500 bird species in their natural habitat.
The experience can be enhanced by a private Tanzania safari aboard a jeep, accompanied by a French-speaking guide or an expert guide who tailors the itinerary to the safari program. Charming lodges or luxury accommodations set in the heart of the park allow you to witness the dawn awakening of wildlife in comfort suited to travelers from around the world.
Park in Tanzania: why Serengeti is a jewel of wildlife
Choosing a park in Tanzania for a safari means opting for the Serengeti, a benchmark in biodiversity. Its ecological role transcends national borders, as it forms, together with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya, a cross-border ensemble vital for the zebra and wildebeest herds and the predators in pursuit of their prey.
The richness of its ecosystems—from the central Serengeti region to the more distant areas of the northwest or the south of the Serengeti—allows for diverse observations, including hippos across different regions or rare bird species. Planning a Serengeti safari with experienced guides offers an immersion in one of the last great natural theatres where the daily life cycle of Africa’s wildlife unfolds.
Serengeti Plain: an iconic expanse shaped by migration
The Serengeti Plain embodies the essence of Tanzania’s safari landscapes, with endless grasslands, isolated acacias, and horizons punctuated by the movement of herds. Each year this conservation area becomes the stage for the Great Migration, a primal quest for fresh grass by hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, closely followed by their predators.
This phenomenon, observable from a charming lodge or during a private-guided safari, constitutes an exceptional wildlife spectacle, immortalized in popular imagination thanks to the Lion King. From the shores of Lake Victoria to the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti Plain offers a breathtaking view of the rhythms of wildlife, revealing nature’s beauty in its rawest form.
Wildlife in Tanzania: observing fauna at the heart of the Serengeti
Wildlife in Tanzania finds in the Serengeti an exceptional natural setting for observation and photography. This national park hosts all the symbols of African fauna: the Big Five, predators within the park, hippos, and herds of zebras near water sources.
Guides, some of whom are francophone, have an intimate knowledge of where species concentrate according to the dry season, vegetation, and climatic conditions. Travelers can thus enjoy full immersion, often aboard a jeep, sometimes on foot depending on the available options.
The Serengeti is not merely a safari backdrop; it is a vibrant natural habitat that offers daily a new scene of interactions between prey and predators, in harmony with the biological rhythms of wildlife.
Serengeti National Park: prices, options and tips for organizing your safari
The price of Serengeti National Park depends on several parameters, including the season, the activities chosen, and the type of in-park accommodation. Entrance fees typically amount to several tens of dollars per day, with additional costs for a private jeep safari in Tanzania, the presence of an expert guide, and the level of comfort desired: from luxury lodges to mobile camps.
For an optimized stay, it is recommended to plan with a safari-specialized agency, which can combine the best observation moments – such as the dry season – with hotels or lodges located in strategic areas. Whether you head in search of the Big Five or prioritize the Great Migration, the Serengeti more than justifies the investment, as the experience remains unparalleled in the African landscape.
This article was drafted with the help of artificial intelligence, then revised, supplemented, and validated by the editors of the newsroom.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) a annoncé l’ouverture de son nouveau parc aquatique Great Tides le 4 septembre 2026 sur Great Stirrup Cay, son île privée située aux Bahamas. L’inauguration coïncidera avec une croisière de sept jours dans les Caraïbes opérée par le Norwegian Luna.
À partir du 5 juin 2026, les passagers dont l’escale est prévue à Great Stirrup Cay après cette date pourront réserver à l’avance leur accès au parc aquatique ainsi que différentes options complémentaires, dont des cabanes privatives pouvant accueillir jusqu’à six personnes.
Développé sur près de 2.5 hectares, Great Tides proposera 19 toboggans aquatiques ainsi qu’une série d’attractions destinées aux familles et aux amateurs de sensations fortes. Le parc s’articulera autour de la Tidal Tower, une structure de 52 mètres de hauteur regroupant plusieurs attractions majeures, dont les Breakwater Blasters, présentés comme des montagnes russes aquatiques.
L’offre comprendra également des sauts de falaise, une rivière dynamique de plus de 240 mètres, un espace aquatique dédié aux enfants et plusieurs points de restauration. Le projet s’inscrit dans le programme de transformation de Great Stirrup Cay, qui comprend comme le souligne un communiqué déjà le Great Life Lagoon, une vaste zone de baignade avec bars aquatiques et espaces de détente.
L’île privée est accessible toute l’année au départ de plusieurs ports américains, notamment Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, New York et Philadelphie. Le Norwegian Luna assurera des itinéraires dans les Caraïbes jusqu’en novembre 2026 avec des escales en République dominicaine, aux Îles Vierges et à Great Stirrup Cay.
Published by Amelia Brille 
