France--Chateau by train
 

Just got back from Paris with a couple days in the Loire. Noticed at Chenonceau a tiny rail station. Am planning to return with my niece and nephew in tow later this year. Is it possible/easy to independently (no tours, please) visit a chateau without renting a car?

Yes,

Chenonceu has rail service from Tours:

http://www.ter-sncf.com

The châteaux located along the Loire also have train service (which runs between Tours and Gare d'Austerlitz in Paris): Blois, Amboise, and Chaumont.

Possible, but I wouldn't call it "easy." You're limited to a few châteaux and miss a lot of interesting stuff in between.

YOu saw one, so yes, it is very easy to see "a" chateau by train. There are many that are not so easy, and it wouldn't be easy to do a whole lot in one day, but I toured about 4 by train (Chenonceau, Blois, Amboise and Azay-le-Rideau) and there are a couple more I think you can do. I didn't do all those in one day.

Possible for some chateaux - but very time consuming. Some have train or bus service - but it's usually very infrequent. And many chateaux are in towns so tiny, or out in the country - so getting there without a car is practically impossible.

We've done the Loire twice - both times by car - which mad the trip not only much more convenient but also much more fun.

Not a hijack, but a detour...
Am thinking about spending a day in the Loire Valley, maybe an overnight, during a Paris trip in June. Think it may be nice if we rented a car and drove. I am thinking TGV to Tours, pick up rental car there and go on our way. SO studied in Amboise years ago and wants to visit there, otherwise open on which places to put on the itinerary. Any suggestions/insights (days to go or avoid, times to visit specific chateaux, car rental companies, routing, etc.) greatly appreciated.