The drive from Calais is a doddle! Just over 400 miles on the motorway but, as none of these motorways heads either to or from Paris, there is very little traffic on them so, even in August, the drive is a pleasure. Ryanair and Easyjet provide low-cost flights to Poitiers, La Rochelle, Limoges, etc., and the car-hire at the airports is very reasonably priced if you choose to leave the car at home.