The fantastic and wonderful universe of the Pamiers Magic Museum

Pamiers
Family Time

In Ariège, at the foot of the first foothills of the Pyrenees, the town of Pamiers has some wonderful surprises in store for visitors looking for something unusual. In the heart of the city center, behind a magnificent wooden frontage, hides a confidential and mysterious universe where the greatest secrets of magicians are preciously kept... The Pamiers Magic Museum is a real cultural nugget that immerses young and old in the fascinating world of dreams, illusion and the art of conjuring. This colorful place is also the instigator and organizer of the famous annual Pamiers festival "Les Stars de la Magie", recognized as being the most beautiful in France thanks to its exceptional artistic program!

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An extraordinary museum in Ariège!

Pamiers is one of three cities in France that has a museum of magic. A godsend if you are passing through the city, the history of Magic will no longer hold any secrets for you!

At the bend of the rue de la République in Pamiers, we enter this kingdom of illusions with a hesitant step. In our imagination, magic goes back to the sources of witchcraft, bluffing and special effects with tricks associated with appearances and disappearances, beheadings, levitations, escapes and mentalism. From the wonder that magic brings during childhood is born the skepticism and the curiosity of adults (imprinted with frustration) to unravel these mysteries.

Suddenly, as if "out of a hat" and smiling with all his teeth, the founder of the museum Nicolas Del Pozo appears at the entrance and warmly welcomes us into the lair of a fantastic world. Some call him a magician, preferring him an illusionist. Originally from Pamiers, Nicolas specializes in “ great illusions ”. Passionate and talented, he had the chance to travel the world and refine his art in many prestigious circuses such as the Medrano circus, the Maximum cirkus in Sweden then the famous Amar circus before returning to Pamiers and creating this museum there. is now an integral part of the local cultural heritage. His energy is overflowing and we are immediately drawn into a labyrinth of objects and curiosities to discover a fascinating art. A unique collection in the world animated by this captivating character!

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Discovery of the History of Magic

Did you know that France is the country with the richest past in the world in the history of magic? To tell the story of the origins of conjuring and its evolution over several centuries, dozens of costumes worn by illustrious magicians, original posters, tower accessories, amazing fakes and unique pieces allow you to go back in time.

We learn that in the Middle Ages, magicians were accused of witchcraft to such an extent that they were pursued and burned! With precursors such as Georges Méliés Robert Houdin, Harry Houdini and Yanco, magic had its heyday in the ^19th and ^20th century. Offering a spectacle as popular as opera, the performances of the magicians were in demand in salons across Europe. Fallen into disuse, this performing art has returned to success thanks to David Copperfield in the years 80s and more recently in Harry Potter. Nicolas presents the historic box of Gaston Cohiné dating from 1902. This illusionist traveled all over Europe with his traveling theater and this box, initially empty and covered with a white sheet, which was filled with a hundred birds of a wave of a magic wand.

As we stroll around, we discover the important heritage left by the magicians: display cases loaded with funny objects, alleys full of faked spiritualism, optical games and mirrors... The walls are covered with advertising posters dating back hundreds of years that featured spooky imagery. From small accessories like magic wands to rigged boxes to objects of great illusion, Nicolas has an anecdote for each of the treasures in the museum's rich collection. Among his latest acquisitions, posters by Majax or Garcimore and the chair by Dakolta, dated 1847!

The Magic School and the “Stars of Magic” Annual Festival

To make the visit even more interactive, Nicolas has more than one sleight of hand in his bag! He introduces us to the famous goblet trick, a few card games, and some famous illusions, in particular the mythical trick of The Sawed Woman. It's up to you to disentangle the true from the false!

The museum also offers a school of magic for children. On the program of these courses: tricks with cards, ropes, coins, goblets… and lots of other very surprising tips. Gestures and behavioral psychology in front of an audience are also taught to beginners and the more experienced!

For five years, the museum has launched a festival whose influence goes beyond Occitania: the stars of magic. In 2021, the ^5th edition of the festival will be held from 8 to 10 October 2021 and promises a great show with the biggest international gender sizes. No less than 20 artists will take to the stage of the Salle du Jeu du Mail de Pamiers. The public will have the privilege of applauding The French Twins, true stars of Magic, these two brothers present a unique number mixing illusions and digital technologies. The Russian duo of Minasovs, the children of the inventors of the "quick change" which consists of changing clothes in a few fractions of a second will be there. Chinese artist Huan Zheng will present a number imbued with poetry and lyricism. The Spaniard Juan Mayoral will literally set the Appamean scene ablaze with a magical creation: the number of the enchanted flame. Get ready to laugh out loud with magician opera singer Mikael Szanyiel and balloon man Viktor. This new edition also marks the return on stage of Nicolas Del Pozo, the founder of the museum, who is preparing a big surprise for this memorable anniversary. Lasting 2 hours with intermission, this family show will make you spend a truly MAGICAL moment!