Chateaux in the Loire Valley

I took a few days in June to see castles in the Loire Valley, south of Paris. Castles are one of my favorite things to see, maybe because we don't have any here in the US. The one problem was that it was hot, especially given my transportation. I traveled by train (yay Interrail pass!) and bike, by way of Lyon on the way there and Orleans on the return trip. I didn't mean to spend a day in Lyon, but I missed my train out in the morning, and I wish I'd planned to spend two days there. The "Tour de France" passed through Orleans on the last day of my trip, and I couldn't turn down the chance to see it.

Azay-le-Rideau; Chaumont.

Chenonceau, one of the most famous chateaux, built literally over a river. Longeais, once a fortress.

Villandry, known for its gardens. The Tour de France leaves Orleans.