Céline Dion: thousands of fans in Paris ahead of her grand return to the stage

Céline Dion will return to the stage on Saturday, September 12, at the Plénitude Arena in Nanterre for the first concert of her Paris residency. On the eve of this highly anticipated evening, fans from France and abroad have already flocked to the capital, with some waiting for several days in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Quebec singer.

This event marks Céline Dion’s true return to large-scale concerts after several years away from touring. The artist’s official website lists sixteen dates between September and October 2026, followed by ten additional concerts announced for May 2027. The first show is scheduled for 7:30 pm this Saturday.

The excitement extends beyond the venue. In Paris, a giant free karaoke event is planned for Friday night, allowing thousands of people to sing along to the star’s greatest hits, from “My Heart Will Go On” to her extensive French repertoire. Since the beginning of the week, the arrival of fans and curious onlookers has also contributed to the atmosphere surrounding the rehearsals and the hotel where the artist is staying.

This residency comes after a long hiatus due to health issues that Céline Dion has publicly discussed since 2022. Her appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she performed “Hymne à l’amour” from the Eiffel Tower, had already marked a spectacular return to the public eye, though it did not constitute a full resumption of touring.

At the end of August, upon her arrival in Paris, the singer expressed her readiness while acknowledging a degree of nervousness after such a long absence. She also kept the opening song for the first concert a secret, leaving her fans to speculate about the setlist and the inclusion of her French-language songs.

The Paris series will feature a mix of her English and French hits that have shaped her international career. The demand for tickets has been particularly strong, prompting authorities and organizers to warn against fake websites and resale scams that have emerged as the concerts approach.

The first concert on September 12 will kick off a series of performances scheduled for September 16, 18, 19, 23, 25, 26, and 30, followed by additional dates in October, and a new series of shows in spring 2027.