Maison de la Magie

As entertaining for children as for adults, Maison de la Magie (maisondelamagie.fr; adult/child €14/7.50) features exhibits on the history of magic, optical illusions and three or four high-energy magic shows each day (the website has details). It occupies the one-time home of watchmaker, inventor, illusionist and prestidigitateur (conjurer) Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin (1805–71), after whom the American magi­cian Harry Houdini named himself. As you approach, keep an eye out for the dragons that emerge from the windows every half-hour. The gift shop specializes in creative toys and mind-teasing puzzles. Open from early April to late October and in late December. The brightly-colored merry-go-round (carousel), between the château and the museum, runs from April to January (€3).