Located in the romantic Marais district, this bewitching museum will conjure smiles and ignite the imagination.
Why visit: There’s lots of magic to explore with just a dollop of sadism
For those who: believe The Prestige is one of the best movies of all time, are practicing amateur magicians, are fans of George Méliès’ A Trip to the Moon, want to stand in the birthplace of modern sadism
Le Musée de la Magie, or Museum of Magic, is a charming private collection devoted to all things related to the history of magicians. With over 10,000 artifacts and objects spanning from the 16th century to today, it showcases the evolution of illusionism and prestidigitation. Highlights include rare vintage automata, antique magic lanterns, portraits of famous magicians, 18th-century trick equipment, and even some of Houdini's personal items like his famous straitjacket escape prop.
Arranged through a series of themed rooms like the Illusion Room and Prestidigitation Room, the museum contains magic wands, costumes, posters, props, and more. Don't miss the extensive exhibit on innovative French filmmaker and magician George Méliès, known for fantastical and FX-driven works like A Trip to the Moon that pioneered special effects in early cinema.
Each admission includes a live magic show using artifacts from the collection to delight and amaze. The attached Musée des Automates, with over 100 historical mechanical toys, is also worth a visit.
The museum is located in the historic cellar vaults of the Marquis de Sade's 18th-century home. The Marquis notoriously explored dark libertine sexuality and desires in explicit works like The 120 Days of Sodom. Yet whether any sinister deeds occurred in these cellars remains a mystery.
What you should know before you go: The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday and located at 11 Rue Saint-Paul, 75004 Paris. Admission is around €15.
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