For several weeks now, it has become a common sight in Paris: throngs of fans congregating outside the iconic Royal Monceau hotel, located near the Arc de Triomphe, eagerly awaiting a glimpse of one of the world’s most celebrated superstars—Céline Dion.
As she appears in an array of outfits, the excited crowds chant, “Céline, Céline, Céline!” while she waves, signs autographs, and occasionally even serenades them.
The City of Light is buzzing with excitement as anticipation builds for the singer’s return to the stage this Saturday, marking the beginning of her residency concerts in Paris, an event many previously believed would be unattainable.
Léna Lutaud, a cultural correspondent for Le Figaro, France’s oldest national newspaper, remarked, “I have never witnessed a comeback quite like Céline Dion’s in Paris, never.”
“Paris is truly a Céline Dion city right now.”
Numerous devoted fans of Céline Dion are in Paris ahead of the Canadian singer’s sold-out comeback tour, six years after her career was interrupted by the rare autoimmune neurological disorder known as stiff-person syndrome.
Stroll along the Champs-Élysées or the renowned Seine river and the signs of her return are unmistakable.
“Bonjour, Paris, Merci!” is paired with a large image of Dion.
The first set of 16 concerts in September and October will be succeeded by 10 more shows starting in May of 2027, all at Europe’s largest indoor concert venue, Plenitude Arena. (Sarah Leavitt/CBC)
In addition to the frequent encounters outside Dion’s hotel, the city has been gearing up for her return for weeks.
Events include themed boat rides along the Seine, pre-parties before the concert, and, of course, massive karaoke gatherings.
“She is the queen, without a doubt, and we have been eagerly awaiting her for a long time,” stated Natacha Campana, the founder of L’Écran Pop, which organized a karaoke event that attracted over 2,000 attendees.
“We absolutely love singing Céline in karaoke, as her songs help liberate us and make us feel good.”
A long-awaited return
When Dion exited a stage in New Jersey in March 2020 amid her Courage World Tour, few could have anticipated it would be years before she would perform again, especially given the shocking news of a diagnosis that could have potentially ended her career.
“I apologize for the delay in reaching out to you,” Dion expressed in a video message to her fans recorded in December 2022.
“I have recently been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome.”
This condition can result in severe muscle spasms, including spasms of the vocal cords, which she showcased in an Amazon Prime documentary.
Nevertheless, Dion expressed her determination to return, and she succeeded, performing at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, held on the Eiffel Tower.
In this deeply personal and candid exclusive from The National team, Céline Dion discusses her experience coping with stiff person syndrome, the loss of her voice, and her unwavering resolve to perform again. [I Am: Celine Dion, the documentary featuring this interview, premieres June 25 on Prime Video.]
However, a complete return to performing in front of audiences remained uncertain until March.
On her 58th birthday, Dion shared on social media, “This year, I am receiving the greatest gift of my life. I have the opportunity to see you and perform for you once more, in Paris.”
The first batch of 16 concerts in September and October will be followed by 10 additional shows commencing in May 2027, all taking place at Europe’s largest indoor concert venue, Plenitude Arena.
A fan set to witness their 100th show
Upon arriving in Paris, Estevam Peric expressed a whirlwind of emotions.
While he certainly felt the exhaustion from his overnight flight from Montreal, he was predominantly overwhelmed with excitement.
This self-described superfan of Dion made the journey across the ocean to see his beloved star for the 100th time.
Estevam Peric, a devoted Céline Dion fan, states he traveled to Paris to experience the singer for the 100th time. (Sarah Leavitt/CBC)
“I am extremely nervous, very excited, and quite emotional,” Peric shared, fighting back tears.
“Her music is the soundtrack of my life. I’ve been following her since my teenage years, and every song, every album, has a special connection to my life.”
He mentions he has met Dion at least ten times, describing her as gracious and humble. Each concert offers a unique experience, he notes.
“Her voice is like oxygen, and everything else is simply magical.”
Peric has managed to secure tickets for seven of her Paris concerts, a challenging feat given that all performances quickly sold out. The arena can hold up to 45,000 attendees.
Dion waves to fans as she departs the Royal Monceau hotel in Paris on September 3, ahead of her concert series in the French city. (Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP/Getty Images)
Excitement builds leading up to the first concert
Dion’s connection to France stretches back decades. French songwriter Eddy Marnay was among the first to collaborate with a young Dion. She also has a flair for fashion and often collaborates with top French haute couture designers, including Dior and Chanel.
“I recognize she is a major star in Quebec, but here she also shines brightly, as she is the only artist of her stature with numerous popular songs in both English and French,” Lutaud from Le Figaro noted.
It’s this star power that has captivated countless fans, fueling their enthusiasm for Dion’s return and the hope for more concerts in the future.