Chartres to Amboise "Details"
 

We will drive from Chartres to Amboise, departing Chartres around 1:00 p.m. Driving distance if you go through Blois is approximately 11/2 hours. The consideration is to stop in Blois and visit the chateau there. Then we would drive on to Amboise (approximately 35 minutes).

Do you think this is too much? Are we crowding our time? Should we skip Blois?

If we stop in Blois, arriving later in Amboise, then we spend the evening in Amboise?? What are your suggestions for the evening in Amboise? Is it a town that you would walk around and see in in the evening before and/or after dinner? Chenonceau has a night walk that starts around 10:00. I thought that might be a good alternative too, although we could do that the next evening.

We plan to visit two chateaux the day after our arrival. Chenonceau is definitely on that list. But we have not decided on the second chateau. We will be traveling in July and I understand that it will be crowded, but it is what it is.

I don't know the best way to maximize our time on the day we drive from Amboise. I appreciate you insight on this time in Amboise.

Hmmm.....I would like to also ask for a dinner recommendation for that evening. Something, moderate, not over the top, but would still have the ambience of the area.

Thank you!

Seems to me you have plenty of time to visit Blois. And yes, Amboise is fine for strolling around before or after dinner. There might even be a son-et-lumière at the château in the evening. Have dinner at l'Epicerie.

Blois is much more interesting than is Amboise, a town so small you can walk its perimeter in about 20 minutes, maybe less. Same with the château in each town, most of Château Amboise was destroyed during the Revolution. I find Château Blois much more interesting, particularly its various architectural styles and are easy to quickly compare and contract by looking from its central courtyard.

Another big advantage for Blois, its restaurants do not cater exclusively to tourists.

That "sound and light" thing at Amboise...read a few REVIEWS of it before you shell out any money.