Céline Dion opens sold-out Paris concert run after six years away
The French Canadian singer performed her first full concert in six years at Paris’s Plenitude Arena, beginning a 26-show residency.
Céline Dion has returned to the stage with a sold-out concert west of Paris, her first full performance in six years. Around 30,000 people were reported to have attended the opening night at the Plenitude Arena.
Dion began with the French-language ballad “On ne change pas” and appeared visibly emotional before telling fans she wanted to sing “for life”. France 24 reported that she addressed the audience in English and French during the concert.
The performance opened a 26-show Paris run, with 16 sold-out concerts scheduled across September and October and a further 10 planned for May. The residency is projected to generate hundreds of millions of euros in economic benefits, though that figure is not a confirmed outcome.
Dion cancelled performances after disclosing in December 2022 that she had Stiff Person Syndrome, described by France 24 as a rare and incurable autoimmune disorder that can cause severe muscle stiffness and painful spasms. The report does not establish her current medical status.
The return drew fans from around the world and prompted celebrations across Paris, including costume contests, karaoke events and a tribute cruise. Dion also made a surprise appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
Dion’s career spans about four decades, during which she has sold roughly 260 million albums in English and French, according to France 24.
