babylon

I agree with all of the suggestions. In 2011 we went to Chateau de Cande which is where the Duke of Wales and Wallace Simpson got married. The tour was a fascinating insight into pop culture and well worth it.

rosiecaro

Wi agree wth other posters, and Amboise, Chenonceaux so are both really reasonable places to have as bases, and allows you to be close, very close to some of the nicer places to visit Samur and Chinon as you know are pretty far west Blois is nice but it does not make my top four. I think I have to agree my top four are Chambord, Chenonceaux, Azay-Le-Rideau with Amboise next on the list because not only of the castle but because of da Vinci‘s Clos Luce. I thought about keeping my mouth shut and not weighing in but I will tell you that there are several amazing places to stay in Chenonceaux and I think that it is my favorite place to stay (and dine). I have stayed at 2 different hotels and a BnB there and each was lovely in its own way.
My bucket list still holds a hot air balloon ride in the Loire. Someday….