"bluebeard" () is a fairy tale by charles perrault. it first appeared in a handwritten and illustrated manuscript in 1695 titled "contes de ma mère l'oye" (). the deluxe volume was intended for mademoiselle, the 19-year-old niece of louis xiv. it included four other tales by perrault. "bluebeard" was first published anonymously in january 1697 in paris by claude barbin in "histoires ou contes du temps passé" (), a collection of eight fairy tales by perrault. the tale is about a cruel man who murders his wives so that he will inherit their wealth. he puts their corpses in a secret room opened only by a magic key.