AlUla strengthens global profile with comprehensive Saudi-French partnership

AlUla continues to cement its status as a global cultural and heritage center, drawing on a legacy that spans thousands of years and a strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and France. This collaboration covers sectors including archaeology, arts, education, tourism, hospitality, sustainability, and infrastructure.

Throughout history, AlUla has served as a crossroads of civilizations and a bridge connecting peoples, benefiting from its location along ancient trade routes linking Arabia with the wider world. The region is home to major archaeological sites such as Dadan, Jabal Ikmah, the Old Town, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra, which was inscribed in 2008.

Development of the Saudi-French partnership

The institutional partnership between Saudi Arabia and France was formally established in April 2018 with the signing of a joint government agreement in Paris, attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron. The French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) was created to work with the Royal Commission for AlUla, bringing French expertise in heritage preservation, tourism, and culture development.

Data shows that more than 80 French companies have participated in AlUla projects between 2018 and 2025, reflecting the breadth of cooperation. Saudi-French archaeological collaboration spans over 20 years, with research, survey, and excavation missions involving more than 150 experts and the launch of 14 research projects since 2019.

Tangible results and international cultural exchange

The partnership has led to the establishment of a permanent exhibition at the Dadan site titled "Illuminating Discoveries," featuring over 100 artifacts that document AlUla's historical periods and daily life. One of the Dadanite statues was loaned to the Louvre Museum in Paris, further raising AlUla's profile on the international cultural stage.

Collaboration has also extended to academic and training programs with French universities and institutions, including scholarships for 106 young men and women from AlUla to study in France and training for 15 archaeology interns, helping to build national capacity and transfer technical expertise.

Arts, hospitality, and new avenues of cooperation

AlUla has partnered with France's Centre Pompidou to develop a contemporary art museum, and hosted the "Our Land" exhibition as part of the AlUla Arts Festival in 2026, featuring more than 80 local and international artists. "Villa Hegra" has emerged as a Saudi-French cultural institution supporting the arts, creativity, and cultural exchange.

In hospitality, a partnership with Ferrandi Paris-AlUla was launched to offer specialized programs in culinary arts and hospitality management, enhancing the skills of local talent for AlUla's growing tourism sector.

Sustaining heritage and integrated development

The partnership also encompasses transport, infrastructure, sustainability, and environmental protection, with integrated efforts aimed at preserving AlUla's identity and boosting local community participation in development. This collaboration stands as an advanced model for knowledge exchange, capacity building, scientific research, and the development of cultural and educational institutions.

Today, AlUla continues its historic role as a bridge between civilizations, attracting researchers, artists, and experts from around the world, and serving as a living example of the Saudi-French partnership as a key driver of cultural and knowledge exchange between nations.