In a corner of Saint-Gervais-la-Forêt, near Blois, a large mansion seems to be hidden behind overgrown trees. Let's open the gate and start walking towards the house. As we approach, we travel back in time, stopping in the second half of the 19th century, in front of the house of one of the most famous magicians of his time: Robert-Houdin.
There are several photographs of this house, taken at different times in its history. The one above is undoubtedly one of the earliest, showing a scene from the house of the Blésois master. The photos below are of a later date.
At the entrance to the estate, visitors were greeted by a white-painted door, on top of which was a gilded copper plaque bearing Robert-Houdin's name. A ringing hammer was placed beneath this plate, and a clever electrical installation produced the following effect: as a visitor rang the doorbell with the hammer, Robert-Houdin could remotely open the door, and "as the lock worked, Robert-Houdin's name suddenly disappeared and was replaced by an enamel plate, on which was painted in large letters the word 'Enter!
The house's first magic trick has just been performed for a 19th-century visitor who, it should be remembered, is not yet accustomed to the wonders of electricity!
The priory's mailbox was also innovative in that the master from Blois could see, without leaving his home, the number of letters received and their type (newspapers, letters, etc.). Everything in the house had been automated, from the clocks to the feeding of Fanchette, the house horse.
A bench had also been set up so that it could move independently to take visitors from the entrance to the estate to the master's home. Everything had been fitted out for the comfort of the house's inhabitants, thanks to Robert-Houdin's electrical genius.
It's a shame that this house isn't what it used to be, hidden behind thick trees, invisible from the outside, and with almost no electrical wiring.
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