Billionaire Xavier Niel, a co-founder of Mediawan, purchases a former air base in northern France, aiming to establish a colossal film studio.
French Billionaire Xavier Niel's Studios de Reims Set to Rival European Giants
Xavier Niel, a French billionaire and co-founder of Mediawan, a leading European producer-distribution group, has acquired a 119-acre former air base in Reims, Northern France. This marks the beginning of the construction of Coined Studios de Reims, a new film studio expected to open for business by the end of 2026[1][2].
The acquisition cost an estimated €72 million (~$84 million), with an additional €12 million (~$14 million) contributed by the French state[2][4]. The newly built studio will be named Coined Studios de Reims and will offer 17,000 square meters of film sets, with an additional 22,412 square meters for offices and dressing rooms[1][4].
Reims Studios aims to compete with established European studios like Pinewood in the U.K. and Babelsberg in Germany[1]. To achieve this, the studio will offer simpler and more streamlined logistics at competitive prices, making it an attractive alternative for international productions looking for alternatives to saturated and more expensive Parisian studios[2][1].
France offers a tax incentive of 30% on local expenses for international productions, which can go up to 40% for movies with VFX[1]. This, coupled with the strategic location of Studios de Reims, makes it an appealing destination for filmmakers.
The Reims Studios will boast 28,000 square-meters of outdoor space[3]. Another popular filming location near Paris is the Bry-sur-Marne Studios, which features 62,300 square-feet of studio space across eight stages[1].
In addition to providing a filming location, Reims Studios will also house a training school for audiovisual professionals, aiming to cultivate local talent[4]. The construction of Coined Studios de Reims will take place until 2031, with the initial phase ready by 2026[1][4].
| Feature | Studios de Reims (France) | Pinewood Studios (U.K.) | Babelsberg Studios (Germany) | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Land area | 119 acres (former air base) | Approx. 280 acres | Approx. 165 acres | | Studio space | 17,000 m² planned (approx. 183,000 ft²) for film sets initially | Multiple large sound stages with 2 million sq ft total across UK sites | Large sound stages, famous for historical significance | | Operational status | Opening planned end 2026, full development until 2031 | Fully operational for decades | Fully operational with modern upgrades | | Aim | Streamlined logistics, competitive pricing | Premier global film production hub | Leading European studio, home to many productions | | Tax incentives | 30% tax credit on local expenses, 40% for VFX-heavy productions | Known for lucrative UK film tax incentives | Offers German film incentives (varies per project) | | Existing French studios | Studios de Paris (39 acres, 102,000 sq ft), Bry-sur-Marne (62,300 sq ft) | N/A | N/A |
Mediawan, the holding company behind TV hits such as "Call My Agent!" and "High Potential," owns more than 80 companies globally[5]. With the addition of Studios de Reims, France is poised to become a stronger competitor in the European film industry.
References: 1. L'Union 2. Variety 3. Le Figaro 4. Deadline 5. Mediawan website
The acquisition of a former airbase in Reims by French billionaire Xavier Niel, along with Mediawan's ownership of Studios de Reims, indicates a growth in France's position within the European film industry, competing against established studios like Pinewood in the UK and Babelsberg in Germany. The Studios de Reims, aiming for streamlined logistics and competitive pricing, also intends to attract international productions in the finance sector of the entertainment business.
