We are two couples, average age about 80. We have found a style of travel that has worked well for us in Sicily, Puglia and Amalfi. Since we don't want to drive, we book a week in a VRBO type accommodation in a centrally located town that we can explore on foot. We also hire local guides to take us to 3 or 4 destinations. The other days are down time for us to relax.

We would like to visit the Loire valley. None of us have been there before. We very much enjoy finding some great restaurants and seeing the locals living their lives. We don't have an urgent need to see a bunch of chateaus. One or two would be plenty. For this to work we need to find the right town as our home base for the week. What town would you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Tours and Amboise are both great bases for exploring the Loire Valley, and yes, both are well suited if you want to join organized day trips to the châteaux. Tours is a larger city, with more options for restaurants and services, while Amboise is smaller, cozier, and feels more intimate
In Tours, Le Chien Jaune is a very good pick, with a warm bistro atmosphere and a traditional, generous French cuisine that’s comforting, hearty, and distinctly gourmet in spirit.

Art, we were there last fall. Loches comes to mind as a smallish, more manageable base with plenty of local charm. We then splurged in Tours at a wonderful home/house. As PJ above has noted, the latter is a city, with all the usual pros and cons.
Bon chance!
I am done. The end

Fontevraud abbey and hamlet

We spent 3 nights in Amboise and it was lovely. I'm a huge admirer of Leonardo da Vinci, and in Amboise you can visit his home and his burial site. In addition to that, we found it to be a great base for exploring the Loire Valley.

I'll second bilboburgler's recommendation for the Fontevraud Abbey. A gem, and distinct from other sites in the area!

And the Tapestry of the Apocalypse in Angers. Amazing!

Another vote for Angers. The chateau there is magnificent, along with the tapestries, and the gardens. It's an easy trip to Fontrevraud. Moreover, Angers tends to have far fewer tourists than Amboise.

I've been to the Loire in 2017. Stayed in Tours. Didn't see much of it because it was raining constantly. But there are trains all day around the valley.
Amboise was a total disappointment.
The 2 I liked the most were Blois and Chenonceau. Back to Blois a year ago. Just magnificent.

Was there quite a while ago -- stayed a night at Fontevraud Abbey (accommodations seem to have been upgraded). Stopped at Angers for the magnificent tapestry and spent a night or two in Loches. I had no particular interest in the chateaus and did not visit any. (I was there to drink some cabernet franc and to visit a medieval castle or two -- done).


One of the dogs of Loches.

About 20 years ago, in my 60s, I did a slower amble (literally) than you probably have in mind, through the Loire Valley. I started in Blois where I left my suitcase in favor of a small pack, took a bus to nearby Chambord & from there walked from chateau to chateau, mostly for accommodations’ sake though I enjoyed the chateaux, too. I ended the multi-day walk at Fontrevaud Abbey which had recently opened as a hotel, recommended above. One of the best reasons for staying there is its proximity to Chinon, a lovely riverside town with a ruined castle above & some good restaurants. Also hotels if Fontevraud doesn’t suit. I stayed both places, Chinon is lovely & maybe more practical with a visit to Fontevraud.

The walk was via the GR (Grande Randonnée) system of paths, not unlike the more famous UK paths & with maps like the UK Ordnance Survey maps, though not as comprehensive. Also, there are remnants of royal hunting forests in the Loire with (unpaved) carriage roads that one can follow in star-shaped (etoile) patterns that I used when more direct than the GR paths or country roads.

It was a memorable trip & I’m sure you’ll enjoy the area, even if you opt not to walk.

I think Amboise is an excellent tranquil central base. Châteaux all around to visit or not.

Your travel style sounds perfect for the Loire 😊

I’d suggest Amboise. It’s small, charming, very walkable, right on the river, with good restaurants and one château in town so you don’t need to travel far. It feels local without being too busy.

Blois is another good option, a bit bigger with more dining choices but still easy to explore on foot.

Since you like seeing local life, you could also add a small artisan experience during the week. I’ve come across a few in the area on Wecandoo and it’s a nice way to connect with the region beyond just sightseeing.

The Loire is ideal for slow travel, you really can take your time there.