How long does it take to tour Chambord and Chenonceau? Any recommendations?

Go as early to one go as late to the other. Try not to arrive at either between 10am and 3pm when everyone else shows up . Chenonceau can get very crowded since it is a lot smaller. The interiors are not that great compared to the exteriors.

Actually it might make logistical sense to sandwich Cheverny between Chenenceaux and Chambord. Try to hit Chenenceaux when it opens in the morning. The early morning light is magical. Being a garden lover, we spent twice as much time in the gardens as we did in the chateau, almost 3 hours total. Because Chambord is so much bigger, we spent about the same amount of time just in the chateau. By the way, we were there in early October, preCOVID, and all of the chateaux we visited still seemed very busy. YMMV.

I visited the three in a single day with a rental car and it worked out well. The best part is that in going to see the three “C’s” you end up driving past many others you recognize. Figure on an hour to 90 minutes to see the interiors. Chenonceaux, of course, has extensive gardens that could take a lot more time.

Chenonceaux was the most crowded and I went there first. It seems to be the most visited. Then Cheverny which had its intact renaissance interior as it still is owned by descendents of the military treasurer of King Louis 13 who acquired it in the 1600’s. Only a potion of Cheverny is open to the public, but what a magnificent portion. Chambord is empty of any furnishings so it does not take a lot of time to see. It does have the double helical staircase thought to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci and is surrounded by beautiful forest.

The castles wouldn't take very much time, if you have time to enjoy it take it slowly. There is a little lodge next to Chamord you can stay over night, if you get up early and explore the castle ground it's beautiful. I'd do 2 per day, 3 doesn't do their justices.

2 hours at Chenonceau works, longer or shorter depending on your pace. Be sure to picnic.

I agree with the above! Try not to overdo the chateaux in one day. Start with Chenonceau and maybe save Chambord for a second day (if possible) with Cheverny. Chenonceau, in my opinion, offers the best one FULL day castle experience. Enjoy!

We did Chenonceaux and Chambord in one day, and it was a lot. Adding Cheverny to that mix is probably a bridge too far. We hit Chenonceaux right when it opened and the crowds were minimal. Chambord was super crowded in the afternoon, but it’s big so it was not entirely overwhelming. Chenonceaux has a nice little picnic area and is a good place to recharge before you get back on the road.