As our departure is just about 6 weeks away I would appreciate your feedback on this part of our trip.

Monday - Pick up hire car in Paris and drive to Tours. Staying at Chateau du Plessis 10klm out of Tours. Probably arrive around noon. (This will be our base for our 5 nights in the Loire.)
Rest of day visiting Villandry and Azay le Rideau.

Tuesday - Chenonceaux & Amboise

Wednesday - Day trip to Il de Re.

Thursday - Cheverney, Chambord, Bloise

Friday - Saumur & Abbey at Fontevraud.

We particularly like chateaux, castles etc so I know it probably sounds like a lot of chateaux to visit but that's our thing I guess.

I've sort of planned to head out in a different direction each day and obviously will be looking out for wineries and nice places for lunch etc.

If there are places I've missed or something you might feel is better please advise. I appreciate all your kind help.

You are cheating yourself if you do not buy a copy of the Michelin Green Guide to the Loire Valley. Five nights does not give you a lot of time so if you want to maximize your trip you should study the terraine before your sortie.

For me, I would never pick up a car in Paris and drive to Tours. Take a train to Blois and stay there. Have dinner and stay overnight in Orleans on the way. Rent a car and do your expeditions from Blois.

I don't have a problem driving out from Paris. The car is booked and paid for as is the Chateau just out of Tours, so realistically nothing can change there.

I would appreciate your feedback based on this criteria.

I am always reluctant to answer any of these "comment on my itinerary" posts because there so much subjectivity...but I've been to the Loire and this past July we spent a day on Isle de Re...I wasn't all that impressed with the latter although I realize some simply adore it. Perhaps it is because I have been to what I consider so many better seaside type places...otherwise it looks OK to me.

Thanks Dukey. Il de Re was recommended on this site when I was first planning the Loire part of our trip. I thought doing it on the Wednesday would really break up the trip quite well. Anyway, I won't have too many expectations and as you say it is all relative isn't it? I appreciate your comments though.

The daytrip to Île de Ré is quite impractical IMO - it's probably close to a 3 hour drive from where you'll be staying.

We love Chinon and its castle; I'd certainly add it to the agenda. Other favorites are the towns of Loches and Montreuil-Bellay.

We didn't particularly like Cheverney or Chambord (especially compared to the others on your list).

Yes, too far.

Consider Valencay.

fast-paced but logical and doable except for Ile de Re - way too far IMO

The Loire is not all castles either - Loches (where the infamous Hanging Cages of some bad King Louis still hang in the dungeons - actually replicas) has a grim fortress and is a nice regional town

Chinon is my favorite Loire town and also has a castle with a Jeanne d' Arc museum in it.

Vouvray merits a quick stop if at all interested in wines - several nice Vouvray wine houses to taste the product and buy direct.

Hi Stormbird,

On my visit, I stayed at Chateau de Chissay near Chenonceaux. Loved the experience and happy that I didn't stay in Bloise.

When you visit Ambroise, be sure to take time to see Chateau Ambroise and Clo du Luce (Leonardo's last home). He is buried in the small chapel on the grounds of Chateau Ambroise. Both very worthwhile.

I visited Chenonceau (my favorite), Villandry (gardens only), Cheverney, and Chambord, also Azay le Rideau (not too much to see as the inside is bare. Outside very lovely.

Have fun!

He is buried in the small chapel on the grounds of Chateau Ambroise

i thought it was in the town's parish church?

but you may be right

I peeked into the beautiful little chapel not knowing what it was. Later, when I was home, I found out here on Fodor's that he was buried there. But, I could be wrong!

come to think of it you are probably right - sorry.

Thanks all for your feedback. I have been worrying about the Il de Re day trip too. I was sitting here yesterday discussing the distances with my husband and I was thinking that it was probably too far for one day. I think we might forget about it altogether.

Perhaps if we spent Wednesday concentrating on food and wine - yay!!!