Need side trips from Tours

Joan, one of our favorite places is Chartes. It's a nice town and that cathedral - oooohhh! You are also driving distance to some of the really nice Loire chateaus - we enjoyed Chenonceau and Azay-le-Rideau. A great long weekend for me would be the North beach sights: Omaha Beach, Bayeaux tapestry, Deauville, Honfleur (be sure to find an alleyway to behind the houses in the town - there's a whole different world back there!). And of course, Versailles. Enjoy!!

How about Saumur? Within one hour you can be there by train.

Chinon is surrounded by vineyards and has wine shops right near the historic fortress. The fortress is well restored, with interactive sound effects, video exhibits, and lots of informative signboards.

Amboise is close to Tours and I highly recommend it for a day trip.
I agree that Chartres would be a fun trip. When we were there they had a light show in the evening, at various buildings in addition to the cathedral. We also didn't realize that Chartres is so much more than the cathedral. Fun little city.
I agree that Normandy would be a lovely trip. A little town that we particularly liked was Arromanches. They have a small, but excellent museum right next to the beach which has remnants of the D-Day artificial harbor. if you get to Honfluer (which I recommend) perhaps head further north thru beautiful Normandy countryside to Etretat. The coast and rock formations are lovely and painted often by the impressionists. Also in Normandy is Rouen and Giverny.
Another long weekend idea would be MSM, Saint Malo,Dinard, Dinan. MSM is often quite busy. I would suggest overnight either on the island or just off on the coast. Go in late afternoon/evening and also get to the monastery when it opens in the morning (so get to the island a good 45 minutes before to allow for the walk up. Saint Malo will be busy, but it is very beautiful. We liked staying just across the water in Dinard, which is an adorable beachy, 50s/60s vibe resort town. Dinan is an interesting medieval city.

I’ll echo the person who said Amboise. Fun town and it’s beautiful to walk along the river. Have you considered renting a car and visiting the chateaux up and down the Loire? You are literally in the heart of Loire Valley. It seems a shame to pass up an opportunity to see the area. Country roads. Lots of pullouts to view the river. Lots of good food in small places and villages. Lots of the chateaux have pretty accompanying gardens... if you’re interested in the outdoors, I’d recommend Chenonceau, Villandry (it’s all about the gardens), and Azay-Le-Rideau (truly a fairytale castle on a little tributary in an adorable town.) Chambord, Chaumont-sur-Loire (also amazing gardens, and Cheverny are also high recommends. They are the top ones listed in the RS books, I believe.

The Normandy beaches would be a good drive/train ride away but might be an option for a long weekend. Omaha beach itself is unfortunately very touristy but th Cemetary is a moving place, as is the bluff above Arromanche. If you truly want a beach with less crowds and more ambiance, consider Utah beach. There is also an excellent museum there.

Bayeaux would be a good base for a Normandy trip... it has a fabulous cathedral and famous tapestry (definitely make time for it.) The town itself is also very nice and a lot of fun. I would pick it hands down over a town like Honfleur, which really is a tourist trap.

I cannot speak to Chartres, having not been there, but I’ve been told it’s lovely. You could also be adventurous and see what the Brittany area has to offer.

If you are more comfortable or it’s more convenient transport wise to do things heading more up towards the Paris direction, I would give the chateaux of Fontainebleau (awesome weird ramshackle chateaux and fun little town) or Vaux le Vicomte (my favorite in all of France). They are both about an hour+ outside of Paris so you won’t be dealing with the Paris crowds. Though Versailles is amazing, as someone mentioned.