The discovery of a long rampart protecting the Khaybar oasis revolutionizes the history of the Arabian Peninsula

Vue reconstituée d’un réseau de remparts dans la partie nord de l'oasis fortifiée de Khaybar vers 2000 avant notre ère, © Projet archéologique Khaybar Longue Durée, M. Bussy & G. Charloux.

The French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) are delighted to announce a breakthrough in scientific research on the Arabian Peninsula, thanks to the team from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) as part of the Khaybar Longue Durée archaeological project led by AFALULA in collaboration with…

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During the 7th edition of the FII Forum, the Royal Commission for AlUla signs a multi-million SAR strategic security integration project to protect heritage sites and historic landmarks with French group Thales

During the 7th edition of the FII Forum, a partnership valued at 159 million SAR was concluded between the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the French group Thales. This contract aims to implement advanced protection of key areas, historical sites, and buildings in AlUla, utilizing continuous surveillance integrated into the RCU’s digital platforms. Part of an agreement between Saudi Arabia and France, this partnership demonstrates the ambition to make AlUla a leading cultural and touristic destination on an international scale. With Thales, state-of-the-art security systems will be deployed to ensure optimal protection of AlUla’s cultural and historical treasures. This new agreement thus reinforces AlUla’s positioning on the global cultural and touristic scene.

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During the 7th edition of the FII Forum, the Royal Commission for AlUla signs a major strategic partnership with the French group Alstom, world leader in integrated transport systems.

The Royal Commission for AlUla in Saudi Arabia has signed a major strategic partnership with the French group Alstom, a global leader in integrated transport systems. The agreement involves the creation of 22.5 km of immersive tramway, linking the heritage sites of AlUla, the historic cities of the oasis, and contemporary urban centers. This project is part of an intergovernmental agreement signed between Saudi Arabia and France in 2018 aimed at transforming AlUla into a global cultural and tourist destination, while respecting the preservation of the environment and inclusivity of the local population. The low-carbon tramway will provide sustainable transport and an authentic visual experience for visitors.

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Bpifrance accompanies 16 French companies from the Cultural and Creative Industries sector in Riyadh and AlUla, to discover the Saudi culture and entertainment market

Paris, June 19th, 2023 – Yesterday, Bpifrance launched the international mission “French Touch Saudi Arabia” dedicated to the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) sector, operated in partnership with Business France and the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFALULA). For five days, the sixteen selected companies will prospect the Saudi market to confirm their…

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The French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) welcomes the signing of a major strategic partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the leading French engineering group Bouygues Construction for the construction management of the architectural masterpiece designed by Jean Nouvel in the Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla.

Saudi Arabia and France signed an intergovernmental agreement in April 2018 on the sustainable development of the AlUla region and its transformation into a world-class cultural and tourism destination.

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The French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) welcomes the signing, during the visit of the French Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malak, to Riyadh and AlUla, of a partnership agreement between the Centre Pompidou and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) for the development of a contemporary art museum in AlUla, for which AFALULA has been working for nearly two years

Saudi Arabia and France signed an intergovernmental agreement in April 2018 on the sustainable development of the AlUla region and its transformation into a world-class cultural and tourism destination.

As a result of this agreement, the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) was created to mobilize all French know-how (experts, operators, companies) and to support its Saudi partner, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), in a spirit of collaborative development.

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Filmed in the Maraya Concert Hall in the heart of the AlUla desert and produced by Degel Prod, the musical program Sous les étoiles d’AlUla will be broadcast on TV5MONDE on March 24th at 9pm

On the occasion of International Francophonie Day and as part of the friendship between France and Saudi Arabia, Sous les étoiles d’AlUla, dedicated to French songs and co-presented by French TV presenter Laury Thilleman and Saudi comedian and writer Fatima Al-Banawi, will be broadcast on TV5MONDE on March 24th at 9 pm.

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Alula Artist Residency presents Palimpsest of Time: Explorations in Creative Practice 17 February – 18 March 2023

AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 21 February 2023: The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the French Agency for AlUla Development (Afalula) present Palimpsest of Time: Explorations in Creative Practice from 17 February to 18 March 2023. Palimpsest of Time presents a survey of the AlUla Artist Residencies alongside an exhibition and open studio featuring artists who have participated in the current and previous editions of the programme. Set across two venues the programme is on show in Madrasat Addeera and Mabiti, AlUla.

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Appointment of Sophie Makariou as Scientific Director

The French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) announces the appointment of Sophie Makariou as Scientific Director in charge of the Culture and Heritage division (Archaeology, Contemporary Art and Museums). Sophie Makariou was previously President of the Musée des Arts asiatiques – Guimet. She succeeds Jean-François Charnier, who left his post in September 2022. Gérard Mestrallet…

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