Seems like I can save a lot of money by just renting a car. When we get to a castle do they offer headsets or audio tours? The 3 on my current list are Chenonceau, Cheverny, and Chambord.
Update: Looks like Chenoneau for sure. Do we have time to visit one other on the drive back to Paris? Which one do you suggest?
Rent a car, definitely. It will give you more freedom and the ability to avoid some of the crowds from the tour buses, if you can time things right. Those three chateaux are tops on my list and probably as much as you can squeeze into one day, but with a car you can at least drive by one or two others for a look see.
Rent a car but don't try to do all three in one day. Get to Chenonceau early--15 minutes before they open. Head straight inside and tour the rooms first-then you can look at the gardens by the time the tour buses start arriving. That means you should save Cheverny for the next day, because they feed the hounds in the morning and you don't want to miss it.
Do you plan to stay in the Loire Valley, or are you planning to drive from Paris?
Most here will recommend renting a car, however, it is possible to see the castles on your list without a car.
My daughter & I spent 3 wonderful nights in Amboise and visited the castles by public transportation.
We took a commuter city bus from Amboise to/from Chenonceau, then we took the Navette 41 bus which departs from the Blois train station's parking lot, to visit Cheverny & Chambord. This bus also travels to the Beauregard castle, but we had had enough castle touring that we skipped it.
Do you have Rick Steves' France book?
We will not be staying overnight. 1 day touring only. Looks like Chenonceau for sure. Then on the way back to Paris which one, Cheverny or Chanbord? What time should I plan on getting to Chenoneau to beat the tour buses? How long of a drive from Paris?
Make Chambord your second chateau, without a doubt! It's also on the easytend of the valley and from there back to Paris. I heartily recommend a car.
Yes, stop at Chambord. It's pretty amazing. Maybe second only to Chenonceau.
Chambord seems huge and cold? Other than the immense size and the exterior, are you sure it's the second best to visit?
I'd take a tour if you only have the day from Paris - save worrying about trains, rental cars, and getting from one chateau to the next.
Between the two options, I would also vote for renting a car. The tour seems very overpriced and you will be on the tour company's schedule, not yours. If you do rent a car, I think you could do all three in one day. If you're short on time, you could always skip the inside of Chambord and just walk around the outside - it is magnificent. If you do go inside, yes, it is sparse, but standing on the roof among all of those beautiful chimneys is magical. I think Chenonceau, Cheverny and Chambord are all different enough that you wouldn't get burned out.
I will be the contrarian voice and admit I preferred Cheverny. It's a fully [you could even say lavishly] furnished house, whereas Chambord is a staggeringly large but mostly empty castle which I found cold, echoing, and overwhelming. Whatever you decide, have a great trip!
