'A legend': Celine Dion poised for emotional comeback in Paris - National Post

Fans of Celine Dion, wearing a tee-shirt bearing the photograph of the Canadian singer, pose upon arrival to attend her first concert of a series at the Plenitude Arena in Nanterre, west of Paris on September 12, 2026. Photo by THOMAS SAMSON /AFP via Getty ImagesArticle contentCeline Dion is set to make her long-awaited return to the stage in Paris after years battling a rare neurological disorder, with anticipation among fans reaching fever pitch.

Just hours before she was scheduled to perform her first full concert in six years, the 58-year-old French Canadian singer greeted admirers outside her luxury hotel a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe.

The cheering crowd chanted “Celine! Celine!”, as the beaming star blew kisses and made a heart shape with her hands.

Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

The opening show scheduled to begin at around 8 pm Saturday marks a major milestone in Dion’s comeback after Stiff Person Syndrome forced her to cancel shows and left her struggling to perform.

Around 30,000 fans were expected to pack the Plenitude Arena on the western edge of Paris for the sold-out opening night of Dion’s 26-show run.

The show’s setlist has been kept under wraps.

“She’s a legend, she’s iconic,” said Chloe Rydquist, who travelled from London with her wife, Katy, to see Dion.

The French capital spared no effort in welcoming Dion, drawing thousands of fans from across the world, including some who flew in from as far away as the French Polynesian island of Tahiti.

For days Paris played host to costume contests, giant karaoke parties and tribute cruises on the Seine.

On Friday, the iconic cauldron rose above the Tuileries Garden, echoing the diva’s surprise appearance up the Eiffel Tower to perform “Hymn to Love” by Edith Piaf during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in 2024.

A lyric from the song, “I’d go and fetch the moon if you asked me to”, along with the singer’s first name, was projected in big letters onto the balloon.