bilboburgler

"pet" = pay, looking forward to the edit function

PalenQ

You can buy the wine produced at Chenonceau at the Carrefour (supermarket) in Amboise.>

at Chenonceaux the town or area of it or do you mean at the actual chateau - spelled without the 'x'.

StCirq

IMO there's no need at all,on such a short visit to the area, to change accommodations. And yes, I'd divide the time more equally with Paris, though I am not particularly fond of the Loire area.

SemiMike

We saw six chateaus on our visit to the area a couple of years ago, basing ourselves in Tours. Lots of photos and commentary here:
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...ire-valley.cfm

PalenQ

For something very different and to me really unique and cool check out Richelieu:

https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...valley.cfm#top

short drive from Chinon.

Azay-le-Rideau is my favorite chateau but mainly for its lovely exterior. Quite close to Chinon too.

Loches' castle is a real chateau-fort -fortified castle not pleasure dome built to look nice -inside is one of Louis XIV (?)'s infamous Hanging Cages in a dungeon where the kind literally hung out his enemies in cages hung from dungeon ceiling small enough not to be able to stand up in.

Few visit Loches but from a historical standpoint it is very interesting.

SashaFierce

Thank you all for your advice! We went ahead and booked our accommodations, I'll share in case anyone is interested:

Monday night: Hotel Diderot in Chinon - we wanted to spend at least one night to the west of Tours.
Tuesday-Thursday night: Chateau du Pray in Amboise (they had a buy 2, get one night free special) This will be our main base for exploring the region for three days.
Friday night: Domaine des Hauts de Loire - we're going to spend our last night relaxing mostly at the hotel itself, which is very luxurious and has a restaurant that we're very eager to try. Then off to Paris in the morning!

Continued recommendations of wineries to visit are always appreciated - we've loved a number of Loire valley wines lately, especially those from Muscadet, Vouvray, and Sancerre.

annhig

looks like a good plan, Sasha.

I hope you have a wonderful time.

Coquelicot

I agree that the medieval city of Loches is a special destination, especially on market day. From the public garden along the Indre, there's a great view up to the Collegiale church and the Logis Royale. You can walk through the Porte des Cordeliers (if it's market day you'll be going through part of the market) and up to the top of the hill to visit the church, logis royale, and the ancient keep/donjon. I think there's a little garden and tearoom there, and the view is amazing. I think hilltop towns are the best!

The market is one of the best in the area and wanders uphill and along several streets. Market mornings are Saturday and Wednesday. There are at least two great pastry shops in this area.

Not far from Loches is Chedigny, the only village in France that's also a Jardin Remarquable. I've taken hundreds of photographs there on each trip. Cheigny recently created a jardin de curé (pay to visit) with a tearoom/cafe.

A little farther away is Montresor, one of France's officially Most Beautiful Villages.

PalenQ

For something way different and rather maudlin check out the unique Pagoda de Chanteloup just a few miles outside Amboise - a Chinese-style pagoda you can climb on - only remains of a once lavish chateau that was confiscated for back taxes I read by some king and torn down and sold off in pieces - the pagoda is the only remaining relic:

http://www.pagode-chanteloup.com/?lang=en

PalenQ

https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-montlouis

Montlouis wines are well known and there are the usual tours - quite close to Vouvray

ClareG

If you'd like to visit a few out-of-the-way chateaux in stle in a vintage Citroen with well informed guides and lunch and wine tasting thrown in look at http://www.tourtheloire.com/

Treat yourselves to a special day out: you are on honeymoon after all.

bilboburgler

George Brunet in Vouvray is a small place but does a fantastic range including a fizz which has not been frozen.

mjs

Have you ever been to Europe before? I like a Paris, have visited more than 20 times, but I do not think I would spend 9 nights there when there are so many other places you could visit with that time. I would consider visiting somewhere along with the Loire valley. Normandy/Brittany, the Dordonge, Burgundy, Provence are some possibilities if you want to stay in France. If you get tired of Castles in the Loire, I can suggest a really nice zoo near Amboise

PalenQ

Yes 9 days a lot and if OP wanted to do more outside of Paris they could drive from Loire to Normandy - Mont Saint-Michel- D-Day Beaches, turn in car and train back to Paris.