MBS in Paris: Energy, War, and a New Franco-Saudi Pact
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Paris on August 21, 2026, for a two-day state visit that opened with an esports final at the Grand Palais and closed with talks on energy security. The visit marked MBS's first trip to France since 2023 and his first foreign visit since Saudi Arabia signed a trilateral defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan on August 7.
The visit began with an unlikely setting for high statecraft: the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup at Paris's Grand Palais, where President Emmanuel Macron hosted the crown prince alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The two men then turned to the substance of the trip, which centered on the inaugural meeting of the Franco-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council.
The council was launched during Macron's own state visit to Riyadh in December 2024, and French officials said the two delegations would sign agreements spanning technology, transport, energy, and health. The talks also focused on diversifying transport routes for Saudi oil and gas, including alternative maritime corridors, pipeline options, and regional rail projects.
The Strait of Hormuz still rattled by the fallout of the 2026 Iran-Israel war was a major concern during the visit. Macron and Bin Salman discussed ways to reduce the systemic risk that a Hormuz disruption poses to global energy markets, with France positioning itself as a partner in this effort.