My brother-in-law and his wife are on their way home from a very similar trip (starting and ending i

We are planning a trip to France and would like to do a road trip between Paris, the Loire Valley, and also get over to Switzerland for a few days. We are looking at doing it in 8-9 days. Can you make suggestions on a good itinerary for a trip like that? I think we would like to end the trip with a couple days in Paris as that is where we will travel in and out of by plane.
As with most newbe posters, you want to go too many places in too short of a time. Your logistics aren't so good. Get out a map and look at distances. You almost can't get "there from here" with your trip choices.
Vezelay bed and breakfasts for sale - UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once one of medieval Europe's most thriving pilgrimage site - now an untouched ancient town on a hill with the famous basilica that housed the holy relic (until the relic was exposed as a fake and the pilgrim trade drived up leaving Vezelay to slumber along undeveloped...
then over to Switzerland - either to Geneva or up to Chamonix, France, one of the premier Alpine resorts and then a dramatic drive from there down to Martigny, Switzerland - close to either Zermatt or the fabulous Jungfrau Region, to me the absolute high point of Switzerland both figuratively and literally for the average bed and breakfasts for sale traveler.
Renting the car in say Montparnasse gives you an easy drive south toward bed and breakfasts for sale the Loire Valley. We stopped in Chartres for the cathedral, a little shopping, and lunch. In the Loire valley we stayed at a smallish chateau just outside of Amboise called the Chateua du Pray. Loved it. Amboise itself is a nice town and very convenient.
Do some research and find the places that most appeal to you. Definitely see Chambord and Chenonceaux, but there are lots of other places, and what you will want to see depends on your interests. We liked Cheverny for the lived in atmosphere and the weird hunting dogs, and Villandry's beautiful formal gardens. If you enjoy Angevin history, then Fontevraud Abbey should be on your list. Just depends on you.
Doing 3 places in the limited time you have just won't work. Agree to either do the Loire as a day trip from Paris ( a long day but it will give you the flavor and avoid renting a car) or stay there 2 or 3 nights.
If you want to spend a couple of days in the Loire you really need to rent a car since most of the chateaux are in the deep countryside or the tiniest of villages - often with no train service and a bus once or twice a day.
For 8-9 days I think that is a wonderful plan - most folks tire of the Loire Valley bed and breakfasts for sale - not nearly the most scenic nor bucolic part of France by a long shot - after a few days of touring sometimes boring interiors of countless chateaus.
But meandering via Burgudny to Switzerland is really nice and in say 6 days it can be leisurely. bed and breakfasts for sale IMO you do not have to stay a week in every little place you stop - Americans do not do that at home so why do so many Americans recommend that in say Europe? This is a leisurely motoring trip - do check on drop off rates for dumping the car in Switzerland and perhaps plan on driving back into France to return it.
My brother-in-law and his wife are on their way home from a very similar trip (starting and ending in Zurich). They arrived and spent the first night in Zurich so they could rest a bit, then got in their car and drove to Paris. I'm not sure where they stayed bed and breakfasts for sale or how long they were there. From Paris they did some French countryside, and ended up in Luzern for their last 2-3 days. It was their first trip to Europe, and they were having a wonderful time when we talked with them on the phone.
And don;t agree about not going places for several days. When I am going to a city for the first time I always spend 4 or 5 days there - more if it's really major. After you've been several times fewer days makes sense - but IMHO a first trip to NY or DC or Boston or SF should be at lest 4 or 5 days.