Afalula

The French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) is a French public agency created to channel French expertise into the development of the AlUla region in north-west Saudi Arabia. Its mission, as stated on its official website, is to support its Saudi partner, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), in transforming AlUla into a worldwide cultural and touristic destination. AFALULA operates as an inter-ministerial body of the French state, working alongside Saudi authorities under a bilateral framework that has been repeatedly renewed and strengthened. The agency's work spans a wide range of fields: archaeology and heritage preservation, arts and culture, architecture and urban planning, tourism and hospitality, human capital development, mobility and sustainable development. It mobilises French public and private expertise — from museums and heritage institutions to design, engineering and hospitality operators — and coordinates joint programmes and projects with the RCU. AFALULA also promotes knowledge-sharing and skills development for the people of AlUla. AFALULA is closely associated with the cultural programming of AlUla. It partners with institutions such as Lafayette Anticipations, Arts AlUla, Design Space AlUla and Villa Hegra — the first Saudi-French cultural institution based in AlUla — on exhibitions and residencies. One example is the exhibition 'Life of Forms', presented at Paris Design Week 2026, which brought together design pieces from AlUla's residency programmes with works from the Collection Lafayette Anticipations. Governance of the agency is chaired by Jean-Yves Le Drian, the former French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, who states that France and Saudi Arabia have been engaged in an exceptional partnership in AlUla for the past eight years. The agency's public profile is tied to the broader Saudi-French strategic partnership, which in 2026 was extended through 2035 following an agreement signed during the visit to France of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. As a state-owned agency rather than a commercial company, AFALULA does not sell products to consumers; its 'offerings' are programmes, expertise and partnerships. It is nonetheless a distinct institutional brand, with its own identity, website and communications, representing French engagement in one of the world's most ambitious cultural and tourism development projects.

The French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) was established as part of a bilateral agreement between France and Saudi Arabia to support the development of the AlUla region. According to the agency's chairman, Jean-Yves Le Drian, France and Saudi Arabia have been engaged in an exceptional partnership in AlUla for the past eight years, indicating that cooperation began around 2018. The agency was created to mobilise French expertise in support of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the Saudi body responsible for the region's transformation. AlUla itself is a region of exceptional natural and cultural heritage in north-west Saudi Arabia. Located at the crossroads of continents, it was for centuries an oasis and a crossing point for caravans on the Incense trade route connecting Asia, Africa and Europe. The oasis city, once named Dedan, was successively ruled by Ancient North Arabian kingdoms (Dedan then Lihyan), the Nabataeans — who founded the ancient city of Hegra 20 kilometres away — and the Roman Empire, before the arrival of Muhammad in 630 A.D. In the 13th century, Muslims reused stones from Dedanite and Lihyanite ruins to build what is now the Old Town of AlUla. Archaeological sites include Al Khuraybah, capital of the Lihyanite kingdom, Jabal Ikma with its open-air library of inscriptions, and Hegra (Madain Saleh), a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008 with 138 rock-cut tombs. AFALULA's role is to bring French know-how to the comprehensive and sustainable development of this heritage. Its fields of cooperation include archaeology, heritage, arts and culture, architecture, tourism and hospitality, human capital development, mobility and sustainable development. The agency works through joint programmes and projects with the RCU, promotes knowledge-sharing and skills development, and mobilises French public and private expertise. A significant milestone came in 2026, when France and Saudi Arabia signed a new agreement extending their strategic partnership for AlUla through 2035. The agreement was announced during the visit to France of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. AFALULA stated that the agreement would deepen cooperation, strengthen joint programmes with the RCU, and continue to mobilise French expertise in support of AlUla's ambitions and its people. AFALULA is also active in cultural programming. It partners with institutions such as Lafayette Anticipations, Arts AlUla, Design Space AlUla and Villa Hegra — described as the first Saudi-French cultural institution based in AlUla. In 2026, these partners presented 'Life of Forms' at Paris Design Week, an exhibition bringing together design pieces from AlUla's residency programmes with works from the Collection Lafayette Anticipations. The exhibition was curated by Clément Delépine, Director of Lafayette Anticipations, and Arnaud Morand, among others. Villa Hegra hosted designer Paul Emilieu Marchesseau in its design residency programme in 2025. As a state-owned agency, AFALULA does not have shareholders or commercial products. Its history is intertwined with the broader Saudi-French relationship and with the rapid development of AlUla as a cultural and tourism destination.

• 2026

  France and Saudi Arabia sign a new agreement extending their strategic partnership for AlUla through 2035.

• 2026

  AFALULA and partners present 'Life of Forms' at Paris Design Week, the first event of AlUla's Cultural Season in Paris.

• 2025

  Villa Hegra hosts designer Paul Emilieu Marchesseau in its design residency programme.

• 2018

  France and Saudi Arabia begin their partnership for the development of AlUla, leading to the creation of AFALULA.

A French state agency mobilising national expertise to support the sustainable transformation of AlUla into a global cultural and tourism destination, under a long-term Saudi-French partnership.

• Support to the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU)

  AFALULA's core mission is to support its Saudi partner, the RCU, in transforming AlUla into a worldwide cultural and touristic destination.

• Villa Hegra

  The first Saudi-French cultural institution based in AlUla, hosting residency programmes and cultural events.

• Life of Forms exhibition

  An exhibition at Paris Design Week 2026 bringing together design pieces from AlUla's residency programmes and works from the Collection Lafayette Anticipations.

• 2026-05

  Villa Hegra launches scriptwriting residency with Film AlUla and Afalula[6]Villa Hegra与Film AlUla及Afalula合作推出编剧驻留项目arabnews.com

  Reported: 2026-08-24

  In May 2026, Villa Hegra, Film AlUla and Afalula announced a scriptwriting residency delivered with Le Groupe Ouest and LIM² | Less is More, supporting early-stage feature development through sessions in Brittany and AlUla, with an international cycle for eight filmmakers and a national cycle for eight Saudi and MENA-based filmmakers.

1. 1French Agency for AlUla developmentafalula.com
2. 2The ALULA Regionafalula.com
3. 3Life of Formsafalula.com
4. 4The French Agency for AlUla development welcomes the strengthening of the Saudi-French strategic partnership for the development of AlUlaafalula.com
5. 5Afalulawikidata.org
6. 6Villa Hegra与Film AlUla及Afalula合作推出编剧驻留项目arabnews.com