Celine Dion is back in the City of Love as she prepares for her long-awaited return to the concert stage.
The "My Heart Will Go On" singer arrived in Paris on Friday, Aug. 28, marking her first public appearance in two years ahead of a 26-show residency at the Plenitude Arena in Nanterre, France, that is set to run from September to October, with additional shows slated for 2027.
Dion, 58, was photographed greeting fans gathered outside the Le Royal Monceau hotel in Paris, smiling and waving to the crowd. The five-time Grammy-winning singer stepped out in a beige double-breasted trench coat over a black top, paired with black boots and oversized sunglasses.
Her arrival comes as Dion prepares for her most substantial return to live performance since
health issues forced her to stop touring. The singer revealed in 2022 that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, and later canceled the remaining dates of her Courage World Tour.
Dion last returned to the stage in July 2024, delivering a performance of Édith Piaf’s "Hymne à l’amour” from the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
Celine Dion Paris 2026-2027 concerts: What to know about residency, tickets
Dion’s upcoming residency at Plenitude Arena in Nanterre, France, was announced in March and initially included 16 performances scheduled for September and October 2026.
More than 9 million fans entered a lottery for early access to tickets, according to Harper’s Bazaar. Due to the high demand, 10 additional shows were later added for May 2027, bringing the residency to 26 performances.
The concert series will mark Dion’s first since her Courage World Tour ended in 2020. In a video announcing the residency earlier this year, the "To Love You More" songbird described the opportunity to perform again as a birthday gift and told fans she was looking forward to seeing them.
“This year, I’m getting the best birthday gift of my life,” Dion said in the video. “I’m getting the chance to see you, to perform for you.”
Celine Dion prepares for return after stiff-person syndrome diagnosis
The upcoming shows also mark another milestone in Dion’s gradual return to performing after years of dealing with stiff-person syndrome.
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar published earlier this month, Dion discussed both her health and her excitement about reuniting with audiences. “It’s been so long, I would like to offer them something to show how I’ve missed them,” she told the magazine.
What is ‘Titaníque’? Celine Dion-inspired musical earned Tony nominations
Dion also had an unexpected connection to the 2026 Tony Awards through “Titaníque,” the Broadway musical parody that combines the story of the 1997 blockbuster “Titanic” with songs from the Canadian superstar’s catalog.
The production earned four Tony nominations, including best musical and best book of a musical.
Marla Mindelle, who cocreated the show and portrays a fictionalized version of Dion, was nominated for best performance by an actress in a leading role in a musical, while Layton Williams received a nod for his performance with a nomination for best performance by an actor in a featured role in a musical.
Dion herself is not involved in “Titaníque,” which opened on Broadway at the St. James Theatre in April.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Celine Dion shines in rare public appearance ahead of Paris concert residency
