AlUla

Emerging design hub AlUla partners with Lafayette Anticipations to present Life of Forms exhibition at Paris Design Week – First event presented as part of AlUla’s Cultural Season in Paris 8 — 13 September 2026 Lafayette Anticipations, 9 rue du Plâtre, Paris 4 Press preview: Monday 7 September 2026 at 8.30 am On the occasion…

Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia – June 27, 2026: Villa Hegra and the Saudi Cinema Association announce a project of a new strategic partnership supported by AFALULA, during the 12th edition of the Saudi Film Festival, establishing a long-term framework for collaboration in support of Saudi Arabia’s growing cinema sector. The agreement brings together two organizations committed…

Paris, June 22 2026 – Following their meeting during VivaTech 2026, Jean-Yves Le Drian, Chairman of the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA), Roxanne Varza, Director of STATION F, and Nicolas Houzé, Chairman of Groupe Galeries Lafayette, announce the launch of a start-up acceleration programme bringing together start-ups from around the world. The initiative aims…

Cannes, France – May 19th, 2026: During the 2026 edition of the Cannes Film Festival, Villa Hegra and Film AlUla, in partnership with AFALULA, announced the launch of a new scriptwriting residency, marking a new chapter in cinematic collaboration between Saudi Arabia and France. A new artistic residency for filmmakers and screenwriters Focused on the…

From 31 January 2026, AlUla will host Arduna, a large-scale international exhibition born of an exceptional collaboration between the Centre Pompidou and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), with the support of the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA). On view at the Daimumah Pavilion until 15 April 2026, the exhibition marks a decisive milestone in AlUla’s artistic development and in the cultural dialogue between France and Saudi Arabia.

After a notable debut in 2023, the pop-up restaurant in AlUla by multi-Michelin-starred French chef Alain Ducasse returns for a new season, further enhancing the culinary offerings of a region experiencing rapid tourism growth. The luxurious pop-up dining experience reopens to the public today for a limited time only, offering discerning guests a remarkable combination…

On December 4, 2024, His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Governor of RCU, welcomed the French President Emmanuel Macron to AlUla for an official state visit that showcased the diverse and deep-rooted bonds that continue to grow and flourish between AlUla and its network of France-based partners.…

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…

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.

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.