Celine Dion arrives in Paris ahead of landmark comeback residency

Celine Dion touched down in Paris on Friday, waving and blowing kisses to a crowd of fans and journalists gathered outside her hotel. The 58-year-old singer is in the French capital to begin preparations for a 16-show residency scheduled for September and October at the Plenitude Arena, located in the city's western suburbs. The opening night is set for September 12.

Dion, dressed in a beige trench coat, high heels, and dark sunglasses, spoke briefly to French broadcaster BFMTV, admitting she feels both ready and nervous. "I am ready and I'm a bit uptight of course because it's been a long time," she said. The Quebec-born artist, who has long maintained a close bond with France, added, "I have always felt supported from the first day and because it's a story that continues. It's true that this is my second home."

When asked which song she would open with, Dion kept the details under wraps, calling it "a big secret." The residency, titled "Celine Dion Paris 2026-2027," will feature her extensive catalogue of hits in both English and French. An additional ten shows are planned for May next year.

This series marks a significant milestone for the Grammy-winning star, who has largely stayed away from touring since disclosing her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, in 2022. She was forced to cancel her Courage World Tour as her condition progressed. However, she made a widely celebrated return to the stage at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in 2024, performing "Hymne à l'amour" atop the Eiffel Tower in the rain.

The Plenitude Arena, which can hold up to 40,000 spectators, was among the venues used during the Paris Games. With nearly 260 million albums sold worldwide, Dion remains one of the best-selling and most decorated artists in pop music history, known for hits like "My Heart Will Go On" and "Because You Loved Me."