FRANCE—On the afternoon of May 10, 2026, as the curtain fell at the Palais des Congrès de Paris amid prolonged and enthusiastic applause, Shen Yun Performing Arts concluded its tour of France with 99 sold-out performances, attracting a total audience of 234,000 people.
Shen Yun launched its 2026 France tour on Dec. 18, 2025. Over the past five months, the company performed in 15 cities across the country. Following the 2025 season, during which all 88 performances sold out, the 2026 season’s 99 performances in France set a new all-time box office record.
Shen Yun’s overwhelming popularity in France has also sparked a thriving group travel phenomenon. On some performance days, long lines of tour buses could be seen outside theaters as audience members arrived from neighboring cities and regions.
For Shen Yun’s final stop in Paris in May, some audience members from northern France made special trips to the capital after relatives in the south had seen the show earlier and strongly recommended it. Others traveled from across Europe, drawn by Shen Yun’s growing reputation. At the evening performance on May 9, even residents of Iceland flew in from Northern Europe to attend. Afterward, they expressed their admiration for the performance and said the journey had been well worth it.
Interestingly, France once served as one of Europe’s earliest gateways to Chinese civilization. During the reigns of the Kangxi Emperor and Louis XIV in the early 18th century, cultural exchanges between China and France flourished. In 1721, a French missionary returned from China with more than 4,000 Chinese books covering Confucianism, philosophy, history, astronomy, and literature—works that helped shape Europe’s early understanding of traditional Chinese culture.
More than three centuries later, Shen Yun’s tremendous success in France has become another remarkable chapter in the history of cultural exchange between civilizations.
‘An Otherworldly Sense of Being Transported’
Audience members repeatedly described Shen Yun as “magical,” “breathtaking,” and “extraordinary,” often emphasizing the sense of immersion it created.
Franck Guillemot, an executive at a national railway company, called the production “sublime,” highlighting the choreography, colors, and overall atmosphere. “Everything is sublime,” he said.
Pascal Lesselingue, deputy mayor of L’Haÿ-les-Roses, described it as “very refreshing” and “full of color and life.”
Pascal Lesselingue, the Deputy Mayor of L'Haÿ-les-Roses watched Shen Yun in Paris, France on January 23, 2026. NTD
Others emphasized a more dreamlike experience. Astrid Vautrin, a leather goods designer and former Beaux-Arts student, said, “It carries you away. … You feel like you’re in a dream, a waking dream.”
Nicole Spitz, former general manager of the Hôtel Negresco in Nice, said she was “enchanted like a child.”
For many in attendance, the emotional impact of the performance defied simple description. Emmanuel Pitaval, head of human resources at a Paris-based company, said he was left “completely in awe.”
Construction manager Axelle Masson said that the performance “touches the very core of one’s being.”
Mr. Guillemot described his experience watching Shen Yun as “an otherworldly sense of being transported.” He added, “There is harmony in the coordination of the dancers. … We are transported to another place.”
‘A Real Treat for the Eyes and Ears’
Throughout the tour, French audience members were consistently struck by the performers’ flawless technique and high artistic standards.
Mr. Guillemot noted the dancers’ synchronization, saying, “I didn’t notice a single misstep—it’s a performance of great precision.”
Olympic figure skating champion Florent Amodio said he was especially impressed by the dancers’ discipline and precision. Describing the performance as “incredible” and “breathtaking,” he praised the company’s synchronization, noting that “10, 15, or even 20 dancers rehearse to perfection … every detail is flawless.” Despite the high level of athleticism, he added, “It feels as though they’re flying; it’s ethereal.”
Florent Amodio and his wife, Sofia, had the pleasure of seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Amphithéâtre 3000 in Lyon, on April 12, 2026. NTD
Some of Shen Yun’s artistic elements have become signature features, including an animated digital backdrop that displays breathtaking landscapes and vivid scenes of Chinese society, perfectly synchronized with the live performance, as well as a unique orchestra that is the first in the world to seamlessly blend Western and Eastern instruments.
Their striking and immersive effects left a deep impression on many French viewers.
“The 3D backdrop is magical … every moment you’re impressed by everything happening on stage and behind it,” said Floréal Martinez, a former factory manager.
Mr. Pitaval described the performance as “a real treat for the eyes and ears.”
Didier Boidin, former operations director for Carlton Hotels Europe—an executive from France’s luxury hospitality sector—said the music was “very impressive” with “a good variety of instruments.”
Mechanical engineer Michel Briguet, a longtime attendee, highlighted the erhu, a traditional bowed instrument known as the Chinese violin, saying it creates “a kind of opening in your body… a different kind of energy.”
Tradition, Culture, and a Different Perspective on China
Shen Yun was founded in 2006 in New York by leading classical Chinese artists, with a mission to present “China before communism” and to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization—an effort that has resonated strongly with international audiences.
Mayor James Bruneau was in the audience for the sold-out Shen Yun performance at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, on May 3, 2026. NTD
“Preserving traditions is wonderful,” said James Bruneau, mayor of Sermaises.
Alain Froment, physician and anthropobiologist, described the show as “a journey into a world of wonder.”
Mr. Guillemot observed that the performance reflects “true harmony and respect for culture.”
Several audience members said the production offered a different perspective on China.
“It’s interesting to see that China is not just the image we have of this authoritarian dictatorship. There is another side to China shown through this performance,” Mr. Pitaval said.
Kindness, Spiritual Themes, and Emotional Calm
Traditional Chinese culture emphasizes the connection between humanity and the divine, as well as simple, good-hearted human relationships. Many viewers said that Shen Yun conveyed a strong sense of kindness, peace, and spirituality.
Jean-Michel Deplante, director of a training institute, spoke of a tangible presence of the spiritual message. “Yes, I felt that connection … you can really feel it just sitting there in your chair.” He also noted that the values expressed during the performance were “genuine kindness … wonderful values.”
He was not alone. Pierre Gilot, chief technology officer at an IT company, said he felt a “divine connection.”
“You can feel the link between the divine and the earthly,” Mr. Gilot said.
Similarly, Mr. Pitaval said, “I felt completely connected to the deities.”
Raymond Spitz, former general manager in the luxury hotel industry, put it in a different way: “You feel like you’re entering a completely different state of mind, bathed in a kind of divinity.”
His wife, Nicole Spitz, added that the message was universal, saying it reflects “a Supreme Being embodying goodness … found not only in Christianity but also in other traditions.”
Ms. Masson described the experience as “a rejuvenation of the soul,” adding, “It feels good deep down in your soul.”
Audiences Already Looking Ahead to 2027
For many audience members, the experience left them eager to return next season.
Longtime attendees Joseph and Michel Briguet—brothers working in engineering and software development—returned for their fourth consecutive year.
“We’re still just as impressed,” said Michel Briguet. “Every performance is a different experience, which makes us want to come back every year.”
Shen Yun’s success in recent years has already fueled strong early demand for the 2027 season, which begins in early January. According to organizers, ticket sales for the upcoming France tour—expected to expand to 17 cities and approximately 125 performances—are progressing rapidly, with tens of thousands of tickets already sold seven months before the opening performance.
For many French audience members, Shen Yun has become an annual tradition—an event combining artistic performance, cultural discovery, and spiritual resonance.
As Mr. Joseph Briguet reflected on the performance, “You leave feeling full of energy. … It would be wonderful if we lived in a world more colorful, more beautiful, and filled with joy.”
Reporting by The France Bureau of The Epoch Times and Olivia Li.
