I only have 8 nights and want to spend 5 or 6 in Paris. Would it be easier and cheaper to go to the Loire for 2 nights (Amboise perhaps) or to go all the way down to Provence for 3 nights?
I know I would want to rent a car to explore Provence, but have heard it is possible to see some of the chateaus around Amboise via train and bike.

Thanks!

With just 8 days I'd suggest that you stick to Paris and the Loire Valley. You'd lose a day travelling to and from Provence (half day each way), whereas going to the Loire Valley from Paris is fairly quick and easy.

I also suggest the Loire. Three days in the Loire will give you a good opportunity to see the area whereas three days in Provence will allow you only to scratch the surface. And travel time, as noted, is more significant to Provence. You can definitely see the Loire easily by train and bus. Either way, you will have a wonderful experience.

Provence wouldn't be quite a half day each way--it's only 2.5 hours to Avignon. But it will be more time useful to do the Loire I would think.

I think it really just depends what you most want to see and do, and which appeals the most without a car. I think the actual train travel time difference between the two is irrelevant as it isn't very different. It takes 2 hrs to get to Amboise from Paris by train, for example. YOu can get to Blois in about 1-1/2 hrs, though, but over 2-3 days, one extra hour on each end doesn't matter much to me.

I actually would prefer Provence without a car than the Loire. I've done both without a car, and I think there is more of interest down there (Avignon as base, Nimes, Arles, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Aix all a short train ride, Les Baux by bus, etc).

I'm not that crazy about just viewing chateaux, however, so maybe that's why. Two days in Amboise would be fine, also, of course. YOu can see the chateau there, as well as Blois and Chenonceau, all without a car.

From Paris you could make day trips: Chartres, Rouen,Dijon are all easily and quickly reached by train, as well as some of the Loire Valley towns. If you don't spend the night you'd save time by not having to pack (and unpack) and do all the other stuff related to changing hotels.