ENTERTAINMENT

Celine Dion is back in Paris, but her first song remains ‘a big secret’

PUBLISHED Aug 28, 2026, 11:55 AM ET

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PARIS (AP) — Celine Dion arrived in Paris on Friday, two weeks before her first concert series since revealing her 2022 diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. The 58-year-old singer, wearing a beige trench coat and dark shades, told BFMTV she is "ready" but "a bit uptight" after years away from touring. She called France her "second home" but declined to reveal her opening song, calling it "a big secret". Dion will perform 16 shows at the 40,000-capacity Plenitude Arena in Nanterre from Sept. 12 through Oct. 17, with 10 additional dates added for May 2027 due to unprecedented demand. More than nine million fans registered for ticket access, and all shows sold out within hours. The residency, titled "Celine Dion Paris 2026-2027," marks her return after canceling the Courage World Tour as her condition progressed. She last performed publicly at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, singing "Hymne à l'amour" from the Eiffel Tower.

By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Past Events:
· On December 2022, Dion publicly disclosed her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis.
· On May 26, 2023, Dion canceled remaining Courage World Tour dates.
· On July 26, 2024, Dion performed atop the Eiffel Tower at Paris Olympics.
· On October 2024, Dion released her Olympics performance as an official single.
· On March 30, 2026, Dion announced her Paris residency on her 58th birthday.
· On April 7, 2026, artist presale began with over nine million registrations.
· On April 10, 2026, general ticket sales sold out within hours.
· On June 1, 2026, Dion added ten May 2027 dates due to demand.
· On July 1, 2026, Paris La Défense Arena was renamed Plenitude Arena.
· On August 18, 2026, Dion revealed she suffered symptoms for 17 years.
Present Events:
· On August 28, 2026, Dion arrived at Le Bourget airport at 12:50 p.m.
· On August 28, 2026, Dion greeted fans outside Hotel Le Royal Monceau
· On August 28, 2026, Dion told BFMTV she feels ready and nervous
Future Events:
· On September 12, 2026, Dion opens her 16-show Paris residency.
· On October 17, 2026, the final 2026 concert takes place.
· On May 2027, Dion performs ten additional sold-out shows.
· On May 29, 2027, the 26-show residency concludes

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: US fans travel abroad for sold-out Paris concerts.
Possible long-term US impact: Inspires awareness and research funding for rare disorders.
Most affected groups: Celine Dion fans, stiff-person syndrome community, concert travelers.
What readers should prioritise: Verify ticket authenticity and monitor health updates.