Museum of Magic
Museum of Magic
3.5
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The area
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Neighborhood: Le Marais
The Marais is a winding maze of multi-faceted streets that beg to be explored. It bursts with small boutiques, historic buildings, cozy traditional restaurants, and hidden parks. Around each corner, you'll come across little gems of architecture spanning the centuries, from understated medieval towers to classical libraries and 17th century splendor. This neighborhood unites a rich mix of people of all ages, but it's best known for the gay scene mostly in the south and the Jewish community around Rue des Rosiers.
How to get there
- Sully – Morland • 3 min walk
- Saint-Paul • 3 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
214 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
62
Average
49
Poor
22
Terrible
33
Marcus K
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom3 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
Judging by some previous reviews, I would say that the sense of humour of this place and staff was lost on a lot of people. The price appears to be an issue despite it being a museum of private collections, so requires funding from visitors. Also, yes, nearly everything is completely in French. You're in the French capital. Expecting English or any other language everywhere you go is being unreasonable. I don't speak French particularly well and read it only slightly better; I keep this in mind when visiting a French-speaking city and don't let it ruin the experience for me.
The museum itself is old and creepy enough, which only added to the experience in a positive way. The artefacts are of a wide range and deal a lot with the history of magic, which, you know, is kind've what museums in general are all about. There are plenty of antique attractions you can interact with for free; they are in the majority. If you don't want to toss a few euro into a "Big" style fortune teller or similar, then don't. If you really want to, you can hang about until someone else does and watch the spectacle for free if you're that tight.
The staff were very pleasant and I got the impression they were acting in character (perhaps explaining some other reviewers' cries of abhorrent rudeness). When speaking with them they were abrupt and full of dramatics, but always with a sly grin afterwards. The magic show is squarely aimed at children, encompassing some "classic" magic style tricks that are unlikely to be new to you if you've ever seen magic before. Yes, it is entirely in French, but if you have eyes to see with, none of the "magic" will be lost on you. I could even understand a few of the jokes and old lines the perfectly charming magician rolled out. This was followed by an informational session for children about the history of magic and was led by, an admittedly, large scary bald man.
The automatons were a very entertaining gallery of human-like machinery. Granted, this section of the museum was little more than a gallery where you pushed buttons, causing the contraptions to spring to life, but had their own charm and again, wide range of ages and styles.
The man who stole the show (visit) for us was a peculiar gentleman who roused the crowd before the magic show and worked in the gift shop. Putting on a mini magic show for us in the shop, conversing in English and self-depreciatingly referencing the price of each trick in euros once finishing each demonstration. On the topic of the gift shop, there was a large price range ensuring that anyone who visits can leave with their own gift/trick.
I feel that if you do not have an interest in magic, or are not of an open and fun-seeking persuasion, you will probably not enjoy this attraction. Admittedly, it will probably be a while before visiting here again, but it was certainly one of the more memorable afternoons I spent in Paris.
Also, yeah, the toilets were clean.
The museum itself is old and creepy enough, which only added to the experience in a positive way. The artefacts are of a wide range and deal a lot with the history of magic, which, you know, is kind've what museums in general are all about. There are plenty of antique attractions you can interact with for free; they are in the majority. If you don't want to toss a few euro into a "Big" style fortune teller or similar, then don't. If you really want to, you can hang about until someone else does and watch the spectacle for free if you're that tight.
The staff were very pleasant and I got the impression they were acting in character (perhaps explaining some other reviewers' cries of abhorrent rudeness). When speaking with them they were abrupt and full of dramatics, but always with a sly grin afterwards. The magic show is squarely aimed at children, encompassing some "classic" magic style tricks that are unlikely to be new to you if you've ever seen magic before. Yes, it is entirely in French, but if you have eyes to see with, none of the "magic" will be lost on you. I could even understand a few of the jokes and old lines the perfectly charming magician rolled out. This was followed by an informational session for children about the history of magic and was led by, an admittedly, large scary bald man.
The automatons were a very entertaining gallery of human-like machinery. Granted, this section of the museum was little more than a gallery where you pushed buttons, causing the contraptions to spring to life, but had their own charm and again, wide range of ages and styles.
The man who stole the show (visit) for us was a peculiar gentleman who roused the crowd before the magic show and worked in the gift shop. Putting on a mini magic show for us in the shop, conversing in English and self-depreciatingly referencing the price of each trick in euros once finishing each demonstration. On the topic of the gift shop, there was a large price range ensuring that anyone who visits can leave with their own gift/trick.
I feel that if you do not have an interest in magic, or are not of an open and fun-seeking persuasion, you will probably not enjoy this attraction. Admittedly, it will probably be a while before visiting here again, but it was certainly one of the more memorable afternoons I spent in Paris.
Also, yeah, the toilets were clean.
Written September 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rui P
Lisbon, Portugal177 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
When visiting Paris, it shouldn't be a priority. The small museum has some old illusionism apparatus and story and the ticked includes a small magic show, which is followed by a guided tour. Unfortunatelly, for non-french-speakers, it ends up being just a place to see some curiosities and tricks a nothing too overwhelming. Some object descriptions are translated to english, but not all, and some objects look like they're all the same. In any case, even if it was prepared for the general tourist, it doesn't make for the ticket price.
Written January 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FionaGL7
Cirencester, UK41 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
I've read several of the other reviews and see both sides. Essentially my 12 year old son and I had a reasonable visit; the very charming magician who did the magic show was easy to understand (and I speak very limited French) and the humour was definitely mainly visual. The exhibits were largely not that brilliant for kids who want to see something exciting particularly if they've gone into the museum because they find magic fascinating. You almost need to be an enthusiastic adult with an hour-plus to kill to spend time really looking at the exhibits, to get the best from the place. The entrance fee was a bit steep in my view. I think we both enjoyed it, on balance, but as we left my son said 'the best thing about that place was the 'wave of water in a box' on the way in'......
Written January 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arthur
United States58 contributions
Jul 2020
I could tell that this place was a tourist trap straight from the beginning. First at the admission the machine said that my credit card did not work, so I tried another that did not work either. I later made a withdraw from an ATM machine later with absolutely no problem. The reason is that the museum fixed their card reader to force people to use cash (and avoid paying taxes)
Second many of the reviews here are fake. The good reviews all mention children or are trying to convince people to go here and contain strange titles. DO NOT TRUST THEM, avoid this place AT ALL MEANS.
Second many of the reviews here are fake. The good reviews all mention children or are trying to convince people to go here and contain strange titles. DO NOT TRUST THEM, avoid this place AT ALL MEANS.
Written March 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
luca84p
Dubai, United Arab Emirates129 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Extremely useless if you are an adult. A bunch of rooms with interactive machine/tools that perform over basic illusion. The magic show can be ok if you are under 6 years old, but any YouTube video can give you a better experience. It could be ok for a 5 euro admission ticket, but 14 euro for that is really a pity.
Written June 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristina K
Montreal, Quebec, Canada2 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
The magic show was the highlight of our experience, but unfortunately lasts only about 25 minutes. Don't rely on the website to base your decision! The museum is very lame and a total rip off. The employees were shockingly rude. I speak French fluently, and was shocked when I heard the boutique employee raise his voice to a customer who touched a book, telling her "Did you touch the book?" When she responded yes, he said in a serious and loud tone "you touch it, you buy it". The price was 45 euros for a thin book on magic. She couldn't even look inside. I was glad to see that she ignored him and walked off. He wouldn't let kids touch anything, saying you can touch only if you buy it. Another employee, a magician who gave some brief historical explanations of 2 props, told a child off for whispering to his friend saying "don't piss me off", and then proceeded to raise his voice to the child's mother a few minutes later when she reached out to touch her son on the shoulder, saying "leave him ALONE". I couldn't believe the nerve. As for the museum, it's full of antiques with poor explanations (mostly in French), and terrible translations when any were included. There were 'funny mirrors' and a few trinkets which looked like pieces of junk. To top it off, there are several places where they've placed a 'magic-like' attraction, which will do something, but only if you put a 2 euro coin in the machine!!! This is IN the museum, and AFTER you've paid you hefty entrance fee. Unbelievable! I won't even comment on the automatons... little wood trinkets that move when you press a button... AND available for sale in the boutique. Do yourself a favour and bring your child to Jardin d'acclimatation or Jardin des Plantes to see the animals...
Written July 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Broshi
Hod Hasharon, Israel184 contributions
Sep 2014 • Family
I read that if your kids love magic, they will enjoy it. My kids are fans of magic, make magic and potentially the visitors of such museum.
BUT this is stupid place to go, especially if you can't speak French. All explanations is in French (except some if the show at the beginning). I thought that we can understand what we see, but there was nothing really to see.
10 minutes after we entered the museum (after the initial magic show) we've left. We lost our money there, why loose our time?
BUT this is stupid place to go, especially if you can't speak French. All explanations is in French (except some if the show at the beginning). I thought that we can understand what we see, but there was nothing really to see.
10 minutes after we entered the museum (after the initial magic show) we've left. We lost our money there, why loose our time?
Written September 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
littlejet
Louisiana403 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
Went to Paris with our 9 year old son who is also a budding magician. This is a most fascinating place! One of the best parts is the building it's in. It's deep in this cellar with low domed archways made of very old stone. Lots of antique magic sets. Fun displays for kids. Best part was a magic show put on by one of the magicians. He was creepy but funny in his own odd way. He did a good job of trying to speak a mix of French and English to appeal to everyone in the crowd (some locals, some tourists, etc.). There's a little gift shop. After the magic show the magician helped my son pick out a magic trick in the gift shop. The magician didn't just quickly show him how to do it. He made our son think about it, look at it in wonder, which made him work to figure it out. He was a good teacher - he wasn't just trying to sell stuff. Good 60-90 minute stop. (We just did the magic side. There's another side having to do with robotics that requires a separate admission ticket that we didn't go to.)
Written January 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joshua888
israel3 contributions
Sep 2013 • Family
after paying the entrance ticket, every little thing inside costs more money.
although advertising English guides are provided , when it comes to it the guide is too lazy for that and murmurs some lame excuse.
it's a tourist trap, don't go there.
although advertising English guides are provided , when it comes to it the guide is too lazy for that and murmurs some lame excuse.
it's a tourist trap, don't go there.
Written September 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Niamher
Belfast, UK2 contributions
Aug 2014
What a great little find! I had previously read an article about this little known museum in a magazine and I really wanted to check it out. Admission is reasonable - for €12 you can see both museums and a magic show. (The magic show is in French but it doesn't matter if you can't understand because the magic and jokes are visual)
The staff were friendly and very entertaining. The magic museum had some very interesting items. Some are coin operated but it is not integral to the visit that you see these are there are loads of interesting items. There is also a gift shop with loads of tricks, books and DVDs at varying prices ranging from €4 + - so you can definitely leave with a small souvenir even if you are on a tight budget.
The automaton museum had loads of interesting little machines and it was nice to see how they worked.
Definitely worth visiting if you are in Paris as it is so unusual.
(Note - the museum is only open on certain days so check the website before you visit)
The staff were friendly and very entertaining. The magic museum had some very interesting items. Some are coin operated but it is not integral to the visit that you see these are there are loads of interesting items. There is also a gift shop with loads of tricks, books and DVDs at varying prices ranging from €4 + - so you can definitely leave with a small souvenir even if you are on a tight budget.
The automaton museum had loads of interesting little machines and it was nice to see how they worked.
Definitely worth visiting if you are in Paris as it is so unusual.
(Note - the museum is only open on certain days so check the website before you visit)
Written September 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are photos allowed of the exhibits/collection?
Written December 24, 2022
Bonjour j aurai souhaité savoir la duree approximative de la visite merci
Written May 4, 2019
Hi, is it good for non-french speakers (e.g. My 10 yr old daughter)?
Thanks in advance =D
Written March 21, 2017
No
Don’t bother going there
Waste of time
Bad magiciens
Sad place
Written February 14, 2018
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