The Maison de la Magie occupies a building directly across from the royal château and is dedicated to Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, the 19th-century conjuror, inventor, and diplomat from whom Harry Houdini took his stage name. Robert-Houdin was born in Blois in 1805 and went on to become the most celebrated magician of his age — his automata, mechanical illusions, and theatrical innovations changed conjuring permanently.
Inside, six rooms trace the history of magic from early sleight-of-hand to modern stage illusions, with original automata and equipment from Robert-Houdin's collection. Even if you skip the interior, linger outside on the half-hour: six mechanical dragon heads emerge from the upper windows, snake their necks out and retreat. A combined ticket with the château gives a small discount.