Beatiful as it is, I would have thought the Lot was a bit of a stretch TBH, unless using a Portsmouth crossing.
Assuming you will have done the sights of interest around the Cotentin, Normandy Beaches, NE Brittany from your Chateau, I would suggest a slow trip along the Loire. The Suisse Normande around Clecy/Falaise makes a nice detour. We usually base at Amboise or Blois to do the Chateaux - the Novotel at Amboise is nice, if that's your style. Yes, I know it's in the Accor chain, but some of the smaller French places can be ........ shall we say 'an experience' ..... that you may not wish to repeat.
Each Chateau will need at least a half day - I would recommend Villandry, for the gardens & Azay & Chenonceaux for the situation. Chambourd remains magnificent, but the interior disappoints imho. Just troll up to Versailles or Fontainbleau if you want to see pure extravegance. Then return for your ferry via Orleans, Troyes through the Champagne. Epernay or Reims are worth an overnight stop.
We usually pre-book, but this can pressurise the trip, if you hit a delay. We use Accor's affinity programme or www.booking.com usually, watching always for the ability to cancel late where we think it may be appropriate.
Enjoy the trip ...................... KEN
Assuming you will have done the sights of interest around the Cotentin, Normandy Beaches, NE Brittany from your Chateau, I would suggest a slow trip along the Loire. The Suisse Normande around Clecy/Falaise makes a nice detour. We usually base at Amboise or Blois to do the Chateaux - the Novotel at Amboise is nice, if that's your style. Yes, I know it's in the Accor chain, but some of the smaller French places can be ........ shall we say 'an experience' ..... that you may not wish to repeat.
Each Chateau will need at least a half day - I would recommend Villandry, for the gardens & Azay & Chenonceaux for the situation. Chambourd remains magnificent, but the interior disappoints imho. Just troll up to Versailles or Fontainbleau if you want to see pure extravegance. Then return for your ferry via Orleans, Troyes through the Champagne. Epernay or Reims are worth an overnight stop.
We usually pre-book, but this can pressurise the trip, if you hit a delay. We use Accor's affinity programme or www.booking.com usually, watching always for the ability to cancel late where we think it may be appropriate.
Enjoy the trip ...................... KEN