michaeljames, don't pass up the one right there in Amboise, overlooking the town center. It was my favorite, from historical perspective. I thought Chenonceau was more interesting from the outside than inside.

We've stayed in Amboise twice, charming town. Our two favorites are Chenonceau and Chambord. Rick's France guide is helpful in choosing which ones might appeal to you. Don't miss Leonardo da Vinci's home in Amboise... Clos Lucé.

Chenonceau was the favorite of the 4 we saw, but I really loved Cheverny because while it is not as impressive outside, the inside is so beautifully furnished. My husband loved Chambord because of its immense size.

This is a fantastic overview of the most popular.
http://www.frenchmoments.eu/top-10-most-beautiful-chateaux-of-the-loire-valley/
I think Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry are 'must-dos'. Personal preference from then on.
I like the fairytale appearance of Ussé and Azay-le-Rideau.

All those suggested are very good, though getting to and from Chinon will take time on your short visit and, as you say, there's not much left. Let me suggest another, near Amboise but not on most people's lists -- Blois. It's on a hilltop in the middle of a medium-size city, not especially scenic, but each of the four wings was built in a different period. It's also where the Duke of Guise was murdered in the late 16th century, part of the religious warfare that convulsed France. Plenty of history, though, alas, no Joan of Arc.

Dick, correct me if I'm wrong (i'm going by memory)... Blois has an outdoor spiral staircase which was a new invention when built, and they made it wide enough so a man on a horse could go up and down it.

I thought the Blois chateau and it's history was fascinating. Which leads me to say, the more you know the history of a chateau the more enjoyable it is.

I just left the Loire Valley and my favorites were Chononseau,spanning the river and interesting interior,Clos Lucie the last home of Learnado Da Vinci,has exhibits of some of his inventions,Cheverny has a boat tour and beautiful interior and Chaumont with beautiful gardens.It also comes down to personal preference.
Mike

The newest season of Rick Steves travel shows has one featuring the chateaus of the Loire valley that shows the exact ones I toured a few years ago. It's a beautiful show and I highly recommend you view it if you can, It may help you decide. I agree that Amboise (and the old town below the chateau), Chenoceau, Giverney, and Clos Lucie are must sees. The gardens at Clos Lucie are particularly great, with all of Leonardo's inventions. (this might be your favorite) The interior furnishings in every room at Giverney are fantastic-- because most of the chateaus don't have much furniture. (your wife may like this) Chambord is the most spectacular building of them all, and huge, but virtually empty inside. However I enjoyed going up to the roof and walking around. Villandry is known for it's unbelievable garden, if you are into gardening you should not miss it. Chenonceau should appeal to both of you both historically and for beauty -- don't miss the kitchen!

We were just in Amboise for 9 days--really enjoyed the Amboise Chateau, Cheverny and Chambord together with Acco-Dispo mini-van tours. Also caught a bus to Chenonceau--just a 20 minute ride for a half-day outing. If you're looking for a charming, welcoming place to stay, contact the owners at L'Iris des Marais. It's a beautiful B and B with little gardens filled with seating for outdoor picnicking. Katia and Vianney will treat you like family!

Penny and Mark

BG in the post above mentioned Rick's recent show about the Loire Valley. Here it is: http://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/season-8/frances-loire-chateau-country

Susan -- The spiral staircase at Blois is people-sized, and I think you can climb it. The Amboise chateau, I believe, is the one with the spiral roadway big enough for horses and carriages. BTW, I was wrong about Blois and Joan of Arc -- she was there in 1429, being blessed by the archbishop on her way to relieve the siege of Orleans.

BG -- Giverny is a fine destination but far from the Loire.

Dick, the spiral staircase at Blois that I'm referring to is quite wide, is outside in the courtyard and leads to the second floor of the chateau... can't do carriages but I do remember the guide there said what I wrote above.. no matter and really neither here nor there, I just thought that bit of trivia was interesting.

I think BG meant Cheverny...

Right Susan, Cheverny -- thanks for the correction.

How hard are they to view in January? We will be there early January and I'm concerned about them being open and of course transportation when we are in Paris.

My husband and I spent 2 nights in Amboise this summer. We had time the first afternoon to stroll around and we went in the Amboise chateau. We loved it as it was not crowded, and it had wonderful views of the river and town. The next day we drove to Chambord. It was a lovely drive, and Chambord was amazing. The architecture of it was most impressive to us. I was less interested in the furnishings of the rooms, but they were richly done as well. On the way back to Amboise, we stopped at Cheverny, mostly to see the feeding of the hounds. The grounds were beautiful, and it was interesting to see the decor of the building -- very different than Chambord and a much more livable structure. The following morning we went to Chenonceau. As someone else stated, it might be most interesting from the outside. But the fresh flower arrangements inside were stunning, and the gallery (the first floor room above the river) was one of my favorites of all the chateaux. We did not feel rushed doing this, and still had time to enjoy walking around Amboise. Enjoy wherever you go.

Chinon actually has a lot to see -- we were there in May this year -- it has been restored. There is a lot of interactive stuff with videos and interpretive signs, even motion-activated audio sound effects. The life-size cutouts of knights in armor may look kind of corny, but they are popular with families with kids.
That said, Chinon is a LONG (and not very scenic) drive from Amboise. If you're only there for a short time, I would choose chateaux nearer to your base.

Thanks everyone for your responses. Great advice! That's wonderful to hear about Chinon. I was thinking of seeing it as we are driving to Amboise from Mont St Michel as the drive seemed long.

both beauty and history in these:

1= chambord sur loire (just north-east of amboise about 20 minutes

2= Azay le rideau (south-west of tours)

3= Loches (3 castles in one area, 1 is a skeleton, 1 is a fortress, 1 is a beautiful fairy-princess castle where joan of arc stood inside of to plead)

My husband and I just returned this week from 6 days in the Loire Valley. We used Rick's book extensively and it was (as always) very helpful. My very favorite was not listed in his book, but is about 2 km from Azay. -- L'islette. It is small but has the most beautiful setting imaginable. The owners live there in the off season so it is very personable and 'real', yet full of history (Rodin & Camile Claudel). Villandry was also fabulous. The chateau was much more charming that we expected and we could see most of the gardens without walking through them. They run a historical video in one of the rooms that gives a very real picture of Villandry, up to the present time.. Chambord is breathtaking -- in its size and roof detail, even though it is empty. We also enjoyed Cheverny and it's beautiful furnishings. Azay looks beautiful in the pictures, but is totally covered with scaffolding, so you lose much of the beauty and feel of it. Chenonceau was packed with people, but still beautiful. We were warned not to get 'chateaux-out', and although I didn't think it was possible -- it is. Allow some time to just enjoy the beauty of the area --and, of course the food and wine!

Jean-Paul,
Would you let me know more about the chateaux near Loches? I will be taking my students to Loches for their immersion program and I'd love to know more about where to take them. Merci Bien!

@ Alexander -- Here's the website for the Royal City of Loches, on a hilltop overlooking the present town of Loches and the scenic Indre valley. It's in French but you're immersing so that's OK. ;-)

I agree with Jean-Paul that it's a very worthwhile sight, and I'm sure your students will have a great experience there. But I wouldn't put it on the list for a two-day visit like the OP's. It's some distance from other chateaux and takes awhile to see. We gave it almost a full day. Your students will have more time I hope.

And you might consider starting a thread of your own about Loches to get more responses from people who have been there.