Fougeres Castle is one of the biggest standing castles in France, and the view from the highest tower is quite impressive. #photography #architecture #castles flic.kr/p/2stsqGz

This lovely little road in Souzay-Champigny runs past some troglodytic cave dwellings then up to this flower-lined section with some old stone houses. #photography #france #flowers flic.kr/p/2stfuPz

The chateau was nicely lit in the morning sun above Saumur. Just a few minutes before it had been fully overcast and gray. #photography #architecture #castles flic.kr/p/2ssWM5L

Caught this puffin taking off from the water near our boat. Seen off Little Egg Rock in Maine. #photography #wildlife #birds flic.kr/p/2ssCxBW

Chateau de Villandry is famous for its expansive formal gardens. The ramps to the upper side of the chateau offer a view across most of the plantings. #photography #castles #france flic.kr/p/2ssqZLt

Looking back down the winding steps that lead from the town square of Saumur up towards the castle. I liked the brickwork up the center. #photography #architecture #france flic.kr/p/2ss88rZ

Another viewpoint of Mont St Michel with sheep grazing in the foreground. This one is a fair bit further away so it's less of a commanding presence, but it always looks dreamy on the horizon. #photography #sheep #france flic.kr/p/2srVkh6

This swan was swimming around in the small pond above Chateau de Villandry. I caught it crossing in front of the stone foot bridge above the castle spillway. #photography #birds #castles flic.kr/p/2srMG24

Another interior shot from the bridge section of Chateau de Chenonceau, looking out over the river. #photography #architecture #castles flic.kr/p/2srxX65

Got to see some puffins flying around and swimming off Little Egg Rock in Maine. Nice day out on the water. #photography #wildlife #birds flic.kr/p/2sr7iZK

Chateau de Villandry is known for its stunning gardens, and I thought the posts above this staircase framed both nicely. #photography #architecture #castles #gardens flic.kr/p/2sqP9UL

When we first got up it was fully overcast. The sky cleared up right around sunrise and we took in this view of Saumur across the Loire. #photography #castles #architecture flic.kr/p/2sqAJMG

The classic view of Chateau de Chenonceau is not possible in the park itself, but rather from across the water. #photography #architecture #longexposure flic.kr/p/2sqwFhr

Came across this full, blooming poppy field between chateau visits in France. It was between two roads, with no flowers across either road, just sitting on its own. #photography #landscape #flowers flic.kr/p/2spGc4T

The ornate facade of the Chateau de la Mothe-Chandeniers, which burned in the 1930s and is now overgrown with trees and other plants. #photography #ruins #castles flic.kr/p/2sptNk7

The river banks made a nice frame for the reflection of Mont St Michel just after sunrise. This is a wide crop so zoom to see the whole thing. #photography #landscape #reflection flic.kr/p/2soZqSV

I thought this water control was cool looking on one of the stone walls overlooking the moat of Chateau de La Mothe Chandeniers. The castle ruins stand in the background across the water. #photography #castles #ruins flic.kr/p/2soZqSV

Caught a nice view of the Mont Saint Michel Abbey and some of the town rooftops below when walking along the parapets. #photography #architecture #france flic.kr/p/2soTNBj

Saw these interesting carved shrubs in the gardens outside Chateau de Villandry. #photography #gardens #topiary flic.kr/p/2soAmjn

There is construction ongoing in Sainte Chapelle in Paris. In this wide shot, you can see it in the upper left corner, where they've cleverly added a mirror wall to maintain the feeling of the space. #photography #architecture #paris flic.kr/p/2sodPpM

A large carving of a sphinx, seen at the Louvre in Paris #photography #sculpture #egyptian flic.kr/p/2so4CUB

The towers with the spiral staircases in the courtyard of Chateau de Chambord were among my favorite features. #photography #architecture #castles flic.kr/p/2snSVUz

We went around to the other side of the river to get the classic angle of Chateau de Chenonceau. This long exposure highlights one side of the castle and the tower outside. #photography #castle #longexposure flic.kr/p/2snCgYv

It was so peaceful watching the sheep graze in front of Mont Saint Michel on a beautiful day. Except for the wannabe tik-tok star dancing too close to the sheep off to the right of frame. #photography #landscape #castles flic.kr/p/2snw5zj

Throwback to last July when I was in Botswana and saw this little lion at sunrise (with five other cubs and eight adults). #photography #wildlife #cats flic.kr/p/2sn9QYV

Closer view of some of the wonderful stained glass in Sainte Chapelle in Paris. #photography #architecture #france flic.kr/p/2sn62c6

Inhospitable day to be down wind of a grill. Standing to the side technique was marginally effective.

Another interior shot from Chateau de Chambord, this time a wider view of the beautiful windows in the chapel casting light across the floor. #photography #architecture #castle flic.kr/p/2smVpVY

Caught this nice angle view of Chateau de Chenonceau with some flowers in front. #photography #architecture #castles flic.kr/p/2smHsGB

A golden hunting trophy display inside Chateau de Chambord. The grouse carvings on the picture frames were also cool so I kept them in the frame. #photography #castle #france flic.kr/p/2smwJpk