What are the most popular cities to visit in Loire Valley?

We will be in France the 3rd week of May for 8 nights. We have many cities/towns we want to visit but want to at least see one town in Loire Valley, any suggestions? Where are the largest chateaus in Loire Valley? Also, these are the places we hope to cover in the 8 nights, will this be too rushed??

Paris, Normandy(D-day beaches), Mont St. Michel, and the Loire Valley

If this would be too rushed, which would you cut out?? Thanks for any advice!!

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In general people do not go to the Loire to see the towns, but rather the châteaux, many of which are on their own in the countryside. That said, the town of Amboise, which has its own château, makes a good base for exploring the region.

The biggest city in the château country is Tours.

The %26quot;largest%26quot; chateau is Chambord, but size has very little to do with the reasons for visiting the chateaux, IMO. The closest town to Chambord is Blois.

The most charming of the chateaux, and perhaps the smallest of the well-known ones is Chenonceau, which is (more or less) between Tours and Amboise.

To answer your other question: Yes, I think you are trying to do too much. I%26#39;d say an absolute minimum time for visiting Paris is 5 days, and that will allow you to see only a small portion of the riches of the city. The other two regions you plan to visit really need a full three days each, including the time to get there and back - and again I would say that was a minimum.

You have eight nights, therefore seven days total...

I%26#39;d urge you to spend your time in Paris and travel to Normandy and/or the Loire on your next trip...

But it%26#39;s your vacation...

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There is nothing to add to IrishRovr%26#39;s comprehensive reply to your inquiry except that you do not specifically state you are staying in Paris. Approximately 4 nights in Normandy and 4 nights in the Loire Valley is not overly rushed; keeping in mind you will probably lose the first day to fatigue. You will of course need a car but the crowds have not yet reached their summer peak and hotels and restaurants are not yet filled so this is a relatively good time to travel.

If you are indeed planning a Paris visit, I recommend excluding the Loire Valley and most if not all of Normandy. Your available time will expire before you have the opportunity to see much at all. Paris alone can easily fill your allotted time. Chantilly, Fontainebleau, and Versailles are more plausible “out of Paris” destinations given your time frame.