Which songs will Céline Dion perform this fall in Paris? Will the Canadian superstar sing “My Heart Will Go On” or the “Hymn to Love”? That’s a real possibility. One thing is certain: fans are sure to be deeply moved to see Céline Dion back on stage in Paris, nine years after her last run of shows in the French capital. In July 2017, the Quebec singer delivered four major performances at Paris Bercy.
For her big return to the City of Light, Céline Dion has picked the La Défense Arena, kicking off a 16-date residency slated from September 12 to October 17, 2026. She will then come back in spring 2027 for another run of concerts.
But what can we expect? For now, the suspense remains intact. We already know that designer and artistic director Willo Perron has been chosen to envision and craft the staging for Céline Dion's upcoming Paris shows.
Originating from Montreal and based in Los Angeles for several years now, Willo Perron is far from a novice. A tireless, multi-hyphenate, Willo Perron has become known in particular for the layout and minimalist aesthetic of the famous American Apparel stores in the early 2000s.
Many international artists have also tapped into his talent and experience to design the staging for their shows. This includes Lady Gaga, Florence & The Machine, Kendrick Lamar, and Kanye West. Willo Perron also directed the staging of Beyoncé's impressive worldwide tour "Cowboy Carter". He is also behind the famous yellow luxury car gliding over the crowd during Drake's 2018 tour "Aubrey & The Three Migos". And as for Rihanna, the artist enlisted Willo Perron to stage her Super Bowl halftime show in 2023.
The Montreal-born designer wears many hats. In January 2025, he staged Chanel’s haute couture shows at the Grand Palais, crafting a runway inspired by the house’s signature double C, set beneath the monument’s imposing glass roof. Willo Perron has also created luxury furniture for major manufacturers, including the Pillo sofa sold by Knoll. He further lent his touch to the music world by designing the cover of St. Vincent’s Masseduction, the album that went on to win multiple Grammys.
What has Willo Perron imagined for Céline Dion's Paris residency? According to our colleagues at the Parisien, the scenography will be "monumental and architectural" and the show "at once intimate and spectacular". Also, according to the daily, there won’t be old-fashioned scenery "but screens and projections rendering videos and several short films to mark the different acts of the concert.
