Hi All,
We are a group of 2 adults and 2 teenagers visiting Paris between 11th and 18th July. We are interested in visiting historical monuments / palaces and definitely want to make a trip to Versailles. Apart from Versailles we were interested in visiting Chateau de Chambord, Chateau de Chenonceau; Chateau de Chantilly and Chateau de Fontainebleau. Our initial plan was to do a day trip from Paris - take a train to Tours; hire a self drive and visit Chambord and Chenonceau.
However as we have been finalising the detailed itinerary; we are realising we will not be able to fit in all in our 8 days. Any suggestions on which ones we should try and cover which ones we can drop (we want to make the best use of our 8 days; including enjoying the Bastille Day celebrations on 13th and 14th).

thanks,
Naddy.

definitely drop Chambord and Chenonceau and that whole Loire Valley idea. That is NOT a good idea for a day trip when you have so much else to do anyway. It takes up too much time.

If you want to see another "palace" or fortress, just take the metro line east and visit the Chateau de Vincennes, it is very interesting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Vincennes

I don't want to say "you've seen one chateau, you've seen them all" but there is a bit of that in my thoughts. If you were talking about the gardens surrounding the chateaux, it would be different.

Chambord and Chenonceau are doable, but you would be better off driving from Paris. Taking a train and then renting a car would probably prove to be an unnecessary annoyance.

If this does not seem feasible, Chantilly is an excellent substitute, but in that case, absolutely do not opt out of the horse stables and museum (combined ticket). Even if you have no interest in horses (like me), it is absolutely exceptional.