Monday August 13
This is Chateau Country and I haven't done my duty as a tourist--the crowds are unbreachable. I was determined to go to the one across the river from my campsite at Seillac, but it was pouring rain by the time I got there, so I looked at it from the opposite bank and took a very wet photo.

I made a detour to check out Chateau Chenonceau, known as le Chateau des Dames because ladies, from Catherine de Medici to Diane de Poitiers, were responsible for building it, restoring it, protecting it during wars. It’s built right on the river, and I wanted to see it, but arriving at the gate—with guards and ticket booths and traffic directors and seas of parked cars—I decided to wait for an off-season trip.
Got a look at the Angers chateau from the car—must skip that too for now. I’m sick of chateaux and the crowds. I’m leaving the Loire for awhile and heading north to the coast around Mont St Michel.