Canadian music icon Céline Dion made a rare public appearance in Paris on Friday, August 28, as she arrived in the French capital ahead of her highly anticipated return to live performances.
The Grammy-winning singer was seen outside the Royal Monceau hotel, where a crowd of fans and journalists had gathered to welcome her. Dion, wearing a beige trench coat, dark sunglasses and high heels, stopped to greet supporters before entering the hotel.
Dion blew kisses, waved to fans and formed a heart shape with her hands as she acknowledged the enthusiastic crowd.
Her arrival in Paris comes about two weeks before the start of a 16-show residency at the Plenitude Arena in Nanterre. The first concert is scheduled for September 12, with performances running through October 17.
The upcoming shows mark Dion’s first concert series since she revealed her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological condition that has affected her ability to perform.
Dion cancelled her Courage World Tour as she focused on managing the condition. Although she made a highly praised appearance at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she performed Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’Amour” from the Eiffel Tower, her forthcoming Paris residency will represent her full return to live concerts.
Speaking to French broadcaster BFMTV after arriving in Paris, Dion acknowledged that she was excited but nervous about returning to the stage after such a long absence.
The demand for her comeback has been significant. The original Paris residency was expanded after millions of fans sought tickets, with additional performances scheduled for May 2027.
Dion’s return to Paris has generated considerable excitement among fans, many of whom gathered outside her hotel to welcome the singer back to the city where she performed at the 2024 Olympics.
The upcoming concerts are expected to feature some of her best-known songs, although Dion has kept details of the opening performance under wraps, describing her first song as a “big secret.”
