Canadian singer Celine Dion arrived in Paris on Friday ahead of a highly anticipated series of concerts at the Plenitude Arena, marking her return to the stage after several years away due to health challenges. The 58-year-old performer is set to deliver 16 shows in September and October, with an additional 10 concerts planned for next May.

Dion, who was greeted by enthusiastic fans outside her hotel near the Champs-Elysees, expressed her gratitude and excitement in an interview with French broadcaster BFMTV. Wearing a beige trench coat and dark sunglasses, she acknowledged the long absence from live performances and described Paris as “her second home.” She also said the experience was both exciting and nerve-wracking after her break from touring.

The Paris residency is significant as Dion continues to manage stiff-person syndrome, a rare and incurable autoimmune neurological disorder she disclosed in 2022. The condition had forced her to cancel tour dates, compounded by the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these setbacks, Dion’s return to live performance underscores her determination to reconnect with audiences worldwide.

Dion’s previous major public appearance was a performance at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she sang “Hymne à l’amour” atop the Eiffel Tower. That moment attracted considerable attention and debate, with some questioning whether her singing was live. Nonetheless, it marked a poignant public reaffirmation of her artistic resilience.

With a career spanning decades and over 260 million albums sold globally, Dion is recognized as one of the most successful and influential pop artists of all time. Known for iconic songs like “My Heart Will Go On” and “Because You Loved Me,” she will perform a mix of English and French hits during her upcoming shows.

The Plenitude Arena, located in the western suburbs of Paris and utilized during the Olympic Games, holds up to 40,000 spectators. Tickets for the concert series sold out rapidly, drawing comparisons to the high demand seen during major tours such as Taylor Swift’s 2024 Eras tour.

Dion’s return to Paris marks a milestone in her career and a hopeful chapter amid ongoing health challenges, as fans and observers await her performances later this year.