Dragons at the windows, a free and unmissable spectacle
Even before buying a ticket, plant yourself on the château square in Blois and wait for the hour or the half-hour: that is when the façade of the House of Magic comes to life. Six articulated dragon heads surge from the windows with a growl, turning and smoking, to the laughter of passers-by. This automaton show, free and visible from the street, has become one of Blois’s emblematic images. Children are left open-mouthed, cameras click away. It is a perfect taster before the visit, and even if you do not go inside, this ballet of dragons is worth a stop in itself. Remember to check the timing of the animation in advance so you do not miss it: it gives the square an irresistible rhythm.
Robert-Houdin, the father of modern magic, a son of Blois
The house pays tribute to an illustrious native of Blois: Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, born in Blois in 1805, regarded as the father of modern magic. A clockmaker by training, he revolutionised the art of illusion in the nineteenth century by casting off the wizard’s trappings to perform in evening dress, in the drawing room, with automata and ingenious devices born of his mechanic’s skill. His influence was such that a certain Ehrich Weiss later chose his stage name — Houdini — in homage to the master. Discovering the journey of this brilliant inventor, at once scientist, artist and showman, gives the whole visit its meaning. Blois celebrates here one of its most brilliant sons, too often forgotten.
The Houdin museum: automata, illusions and inventions
Inside, the museum trail plunges into the world of Robert-Houdin and the history of magic. You admire period automata, mysterious clocks, illusion apparatus and ingenious devices, some of them restored, witnesses to the clockmaker’s mechanical genius. Themed rooms explore the great illusions, the behind-the-scenes of famous tricks and the legacy of this art. It is instructive without being austere: you grasp the principles, marvel at the mechanisms, sense the secrets without their being fully revealed. This calmer part balances the live shows nicely. Those curious about science and technology find as much pleasure here as lovers of mystery. It is a visit that feeds the mind while keeping its share of wonder.
Live magic shows, the heart of the visit
What makes all the difference at the House of Magic are the live shows performed throughout the day. In a theatre hall, a professional magician presents a live illusion act, blending skill, humour and audience participation; children are often invited on stage. To this are added spectacular devices such as the great “hallucinoscopy”, which plays with perception and bewilders young and old. These live moments create an emotion that no screen can replace: you laugh, you jump, you search in vain for the explanation. Check the show times when you arrive so you can plan your visit around them. It is, to my mind, the highlight of the day, and the main reason I recommend going inside, not just admiring the dragons.
The ideal outing with children
Of all the activities in the Loire Valley, the House of Magic is surely one of the most universally loved by families. The subject speaks to children straight away, the format alternates show moments with quieter discoveries, and the reasonable length suits their pace. The youngest adore the dragons and joining in the tricks; the older ones try to crack the secrets; parents rediscover an art they thought they knew. Few outings unite everyone like this, from the little ones to the grandparents. I slip it into the programmes of almost all my guests travelling with children, often alongside a visit to the neighbouring royal château. A smile on the way home is guaranteed, and questions about the tricks happily fill the dinner table.
The perfect duo: the royal Château of Blois right opposite
The House of Magic enjoys a dream location: it stands directly opposite the royal Château of Blois, across the square. This immediate proximity makes it the ideal complement to a château visit, and lets you plan a varied day in Blois without ever getting back in the car. My advice: devote the morning to the royal château and its four architectural styles, lunch in the nearby old town, then give the afternoon to magic. You move from the most serious French history — court murders and royal splendour — to the playful world of illusion, to the great delight of children and parents alike. This contrast makes Blois a particularly rich and well-balanced stop on the trip.
The perfect refuge for a rainy day
The Loire Valley can be visited in any weather, but a downpour can complicate a day of open-air châteaux. The House of Magic is then an ideal solution: almost entirely under cover, it offers a rich and captivating programme sheltered from the elements. Shows, museum, automata and dragons follow one another without the weather spoiling the fun. It is one of the addresses I systematically give my guests when the sky turns grey, especially with children to keep busy. Rather than enduring the rain, you turn the constraint into a happy surprise. Just remember to check the seasonal opening times and the show schedule before setting off: they vary with the time of year and the school holidays.
Getting to the House of Magic from Meung-sur-Loire
From La Maison du Château, Blois is reached in about 40 minutes by road, by motorway or, more scenically, by the road that follows the Loire. The House of Magic sits right in the centre, on the château square; park in one of the nearby town-centre car parks. As the attraction faces the royal château, I warmly recommend combining the two in the same day to enjoy Blois fully without multiplying journeys. Allow around an hour and a half to two hours for the House of Magic, timing your arrival to fit the show schedule. For families staying with us, it is an ideal half-day, halfway between culture and wonder, a short distance from the house.
The Robert-Houdin House of Magic is Blois at its most marvellous: dragons at the windows, the museum of the father of modern magic and live illusion shows, all under cover on a rainy day. From La Maison du Château in Meung-sur-Loire, 40 minutes are enough for this family outing, ideal as a duo with the royal château that faces it.