Archive · 25 Jul 2025
Xavier Niel to Build Film Studios on Former French Airbase
French businessman Xavier Niel is building a big film studio in France, in the Champagne area.
He bought an old airbase for this project.
The studios will have lots of space for filming, like sound studios and workshops.
The project will cost about $84 million, with some money from the French government.
The first part of the studio should be ready in 2026, with everything finished by 2031.
It's expected to create jobs for around 250 to 300 people.
Niel made his money in the phone business and already runs a company that makes movies and TV shows.
Xavier Niel plans to build film and TV studios in France's Champagne region.
The new Studios de Reims will be built on the site of a former airbase.
The airbase, located near Reims, closed in 2011 after serving as a French air force base.
Niel's NJJ Holding acquired the airbase, with investment totaling $84M.
The project will unfold in three phases, aiming for full completion by 2031.
- Who
- Xavier Niel, a French businessman, is leading the project.
- What
- Xavier Niel is constructing film and TV studios.
- When
- Phase 1 is expected to be operational in 2026, full completion by 2031.
- Where
- The Studios de Reims will be built in the Champagne region of France.
- Why
- To create a large film and TV studio complex.
- Developer
- Xavier Niel (NJJ Holding)
- Location
- Reims, Champagne region, France
- Former Site
- 112 Reims-Champagne airbase
- Investment
- $84M total ($72M Euros)
- Completion Date
- 2031 (Full Site)
- Jobs Created
- 250-300
- Phase 1 Operational
- 2026