Musée du cirque et de l’illusion

Over het museum

The Musée du cirque et de l’illusion opened on May 28, 2004. It occupies a former disused 700 m² hangar, converted in five months of works under the direction of Rémy Demantes. The museum presents itself as the first of its kind in France, dedicated to the circus and illusion arts. Several circus artists, historians and collectors took part in its creation.

The visit is designed to be interactive and playful, with video on a giant screen, optical effects, magic mirrors, a virtual circus and a big-cat cage. Visitors can even walk a tightrope at great height. The museum displays magicians' objects, such as Harry Houdini's milk jug, as well as costumes and props of clowns, tightrope walkers, animal trainers and acrobats.

Film sets and props are also shown: the cage from “Roselyne et les lions”, the sets of the film “Deux frères”, a scene from Charlie Chaplin’s “Le Cirque”, and pieces from the films “Chocolat” and “Rosalie Blum”. On October 14, 2025, the museum was taken over by Vincent Pedros, known as Charlix, a clown and magician, who manages it and is modernising it.

Hoogtepunten

• Magicians' objects, including Harry Houdini's miraculous milk jug
• Cage from “Roselyne et les lions” and sets from “Deux frères”
• Costumes and props of clowns, tightrope walkers, animal trainers and acrobats
• Optical effects, magic mirrors and high-wire walk
• Shop with circus and magic products, free entry

Vaste collectie

• Magie et illusion – Rare magicians' objects, such as Houdini's milk jug, the first saw for the woman sawn in half, and costumes of great illusionists.
• Décors et accessoires de films – Pieces from the films “Deux frères”, “Roselyne et les lions”, “Chocolat” and “Rosalie Blum”, and Charlie Chaplin’s cane.
• L’univers des clowns – Costumes, rare instruments, documents and posters of great clowns.

Opgericht

2004

Beheerder

SARL Clown Academy

Bezoekers per jaar

ca. 15.191

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

2026 prices.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The website indicates access for people with disabilities.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Doe- en voelstations
• Verschoonruimte
• Kinderfeestjes

Interactive, educational and fun visit for young and old, with optical effects and hands-on spaces. Children's birthday parties and school trips are offered.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The museum is in Dampierre-en-Burly, on the D 952, about 50 km from Orléans.

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel

Museum shop with circus and magic products, books, DVDs, toys and soft toys. Drinks, ice cream and sweets on site. Picnic area. Toilets with a baby changing table.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Privéfeesten
• Zakelijke evenementen

Tot 85 personen.

Private lunch and dinner shows for groups of 40 to 85 people (€59 per person all-inclusive in 2026), Christmas parties for companies and works councils, and children's birthday parties.

Je bezoek plannen