Robert-Houdin House of Magic

Imagine an old mansion where every half hour, the giant heads of a six-headed dragon peer out of the windows. This is the Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin — a one-of-a-kind European museum entirely dedicated to the art of illusion and the life of the great master of magic, a native of Blois. Located in an elegant 19th-century building directly opposite the Royal Château, this site is a true center of attraction for tourists in France.

House of Magic Robert-Houdin. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The museum occupies five floors with a total area of over 2000 m² and holds the prestigious status of Musée de France. It is not just an exhibition of ancient artifacts, but a living interactive space where history meets modern technology. Here, an educational approach is harmoniously combined with an entertainment show, making the place equally interesting for serious researchers of the history of science and families with children.

The crown jewel of the collection is the authentic items created by Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, who is rightfully considered the father of modern magic. In addition to mechanical automatons and optical instruments, the museum offers guests the chance to immerse themselves in the world of illusions through mirror mazes, kaleidoscopes, and live performances, turning every visit into a thrilling adventure.

To check the current performance schedule or group tour prices, you can contact the museum administration directly. The staff at the House of Magic will be happy to answer your questions and help you plan your visit so you don't miss the day's main show.

Below is the basic contact information to help you find your way:

Getting to know the museum begins even before you enter: every 30 minutes, the facade comes to life as the heads of a giant mechanical dragon—the work of masters Michel and Jean-Pierre Hartmann—appear from the windows. Inside, a fascinating journey awaits you through rooms where you can see "Robert-Houdin's Fantastic Company" with a reconstruction of his clockmaking workshop and unique devices that seem magical even in the digital age.

Be sure to visit the rotunda with historical artifacts and the Greek temple dedicated to the great magicians of the past. Visitors can test their vision in the optical illusions area, look into a giant kaleidoscope, or try to unravel the secrets of Gérard Majax's "hallucinoscope," which will transport you to fantastic worlds in the spirit of Jules Verne.

One of the main highlights is the live shows. The performance program changes annually, and tours are often led by professional illusionists. If your visit coincides with the summer months, you can attend "magic meetings" or evening gala concerts where the best masters demonstrate their art in the intimate atmosphere of the museum's theater halls.

The Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin occupies a central position in the city of Blois, located at 1 Place du Château. Thanks to its proximity to the Royal Château, the museum is easy to find—its facade is visible from afar, especially when the famous dragons appear from the windows.

If you are traveling from Paris, the most convenient way is to take the TGV high-speed train. The journey to the Blois-Chambord station takes about an hour and a half. From the station, you can reach the historic center on foot in 15–20 minutes, enjoying the old streets, or take a taxi or a local Linéa bus in just 5–10 minutes.

For those traveling by car, the drive from the capital via the A10 highway takes about two hours. You can leave your car in one of the city parking lots located in the immediate vicinity of the castle square. It is also convenient to get around the city on rented Velago bicycles.

The history of this amazing place is inextricably linked with the name of Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, a native of Blois. This outstanding 19th-century illusionist, a clockmaker by profession, revolutionized the world of magic by moving it from fairgrounds to elegant theater halls. It was him whom Harry Houdini considered his spiritual mentor, borrowing part of his last name for his stage name.

In the 1960s, the great magician's grandson, Paul Robert-Houdin, opened a private exhibition featuring his grandfather's personal belongings and automatons. Later, in 1981, the rich family collection was donated to the city on the condition that a full-scale public museum be created. For several years, the exhibits were displayed in the halls of the Royal Château until the city authorities purchased a separate building for the "temple of magic"—the Maison Massé, built in 1856.

The official opening of the Maison de la Magie in its current form took place on June 1, 1998. Today, it is the only state museum in Europe that holds the status of Musée de France and is entirely dedicated to the art of illusion. Its halls house about 170 unique objects: from mysterious clocks to the most complex mechanical automatons created by the master himself.

To fully experience the exhibition and not miss the main spectacle, visitors are recommended to set aside 1.5 to 2.5 hours for their visit. This is enough time to explore all five levels of the museum and study the interactive displays without rushing.

It is important to keep in mind that every half hour a small performance with dragons takes place on the facade, and live performances by illusionists are held regularly inside. If you plan to attend a show (which usually lasts about 20–30 minutes) and explore Robert-Houdin's workshop in detail, it is better to aim for the upper end of the time range.

The museum hospitably opens its doors to visitors daily. The standard schedule is divided into morning and afternoon hours: from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:30. This break allows guests to enjoy a comfortable lunch in one of the nearby restaurants with a view of the castle before returning to explore magical secrets.

Please note the seasonality: the House of Magic is open daily from early April to late August. In September, the museum usually switches to a weekend-only schedule, so it is recommended to check the current dates on the official website before traveling in the autumn period.

After immersing yourself in the world of illusions and the secrets of magic, it's worth taking time for other treasures that the historical center is rich in. The convenient location of the House of Magic allows you to move from the era of great magicians to the setting of the French Renaissance or admire picturesque views of the Loire in just a few minutes.

A walk around the area will help you fully experience the aristocratic atmosphere of the city and see architectural masterpieces from different centuries located within walking distance.