Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Capital has made a $1.1 billion bid to acquire French leisure company Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs, a move that could strengthen its presence in the global tourism and hospitality industry.
The proposed offer values the European vacation operator at up to €1 billion, or about $1.1 billion. Pierre & Vacances’ board has unanimously welcomed the proposal, with the formal tender offer expected during the first quarter of 2027. If completed, the company will be delisted from the French Euronext stock exchange.
Mubadala Capital manages approximately $430 billion in assets across more than 50 countries. Its investment portfolio includes businesses in technology, food services, transportation, healthcare, and hospitality. The latest proposal reflects the fund’s growing interest in leisure and tourism as part of its long-term global investment strategy.
Pierre & Vacances was founded in 1967 and has become one of Europe’s largest holiday accommodation operators. The company manages more than 45,000 apartments, houses, and villas across 330 destinations throughout Europe.
During the last financial year, the company welcomed nearly eight million guests. It generated about €1.9 billion in revenue and reported a net profit of €41 million, highlighting continued demand for its holiday resorts and family-focused destinations.
Its best-known brand is Center Parcs, which operates nature-based holiday villages surrounded by forests and featuring large indoor water parks beneath transparent domes. The resorts combine outdoor recreation with accommodation, wellness facilities, restaurants, and entertainment designed for families.
One of the company’s flagship destinations is Les Villages Nature Paris, located about four miles from Disneyland Paris. The eco-friendly resort opened in 2017 after being developed as a joint venture between Pierre & Vacances and Disneyland Paris.
The first phase of the project involved an investment of approximately €500 million. Hundreds of cottages and apartments were completed during the initial development, creating one of Europe’s largest sustainable holiday resorts.
Pierre & Vacances manages the property while Disneyland Paris originally contributed creative storytelling and entertainment concepts. The resort was designed with strong environmental principles, including protected natural habitats, thousands of newly planted trees and shrubs, and extensive biodiversity measures.
The development also features a geothermal energy system that supplies heating to the resort and provides part of the heating requirements for Disneyland Paris. The renewable energy system significantly reduces carbon emissions while supporting year-round operations.
Guests at the resort enjoy several themed areas, including restaurants, gardens, family attractions, outdoor activities, wellness facilities, and Aqua Mundo, one of Europe’s largest indoor water parks. The destination also operates as a car-free resort, encouraging visitors to use bicycles, electric shuttle buses, and walking paths.
Although Disneyland Paris sold its remaining ownership stake in the resort in 2022, Les Villages Nature continues to maintain a close relationship with the nearby theme park. Visitors still receive benefits such as early park access and complimentary parking, making it an attractive accommodation choice for Disney guests.
A recent expansion added thousands of square meters of new cottages, demonstrating continued investment in the destination as visitor demand grows.
Mubadala Capital said its offer reflects confidence in the long-term growth of Europe’s leisure and hospitality sector. Company representatives also stated that the investment would provide long-term financial support while helping Pierre & Vacances continue executing its strategic development plans.
The proposed acquisition could also create opportunities beyond Europe. Abu Dhabi has invested heavily in sustainable tourism, wellness resorts, and environmentally friendly developments as part of its economic diversification strategy.
Projects such as Masdar City showcase renewable energy and sustainable urban planning, while major tourism developments continue to expand across the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi also plans to increase its hotel capacity significantly by 2030 while strengthening attractions on Yas Island, which is expected to welcome a future Disney theme park.
Industry analysts believe Pierre & Vacances’ expertise in eco-friendly holiday resorts and family tourism could complement the UAE’s growing hospitality sector. If the acquisition receives regulatory approval, it could open new opportunities for sustainable leisure developments while expanding Mubadala Capital’s international tourism portfolio.
