Holiday within a holiday- stopover from Calais

[Howmanysleepstilchristmas]

I’m thinking about driving to the south of France so would need a couple of nights stopover each way. I don’t want it to feel like a part of the journey, more a destination in itself. I’m looking for somewhere with things to do, activities, scenery, not a city break as the dc wouldn’t enjoy that. Any suggestions?

What time of year is this, and which part of the south of France are you aiming for?

End of August. Provence, but also considering Dordogne if can’t find a stopover en route to Provence.

Puy du Fou, a medieval theme park in the Vendée at Les Epesses between Cholet & La Roche sur Yon.
or
Futuroscope, a multi media cinematographic centre near Poitiers.

You can stay on site at both of the venues.

Not really into theme parks. They’re ok for an odd day but not something I’d travel for.

My dc loved exploring the castles and their gardens in the Loire area. Chateau d’Usse was apparently the inspiration behind Sleeping Beauty. Its also said that the castle influenced the design of Cinderella's Castle in Disney World. The dc liked the wax work Sleeping Beauty story thoughout the castle (many reviewers refer to it as tacky, but it works for the kids) and there’s a kids activity trail with clues to solve.
Chateau du Riveau is another fairytale castle. The gardens are especially fun with giant’s legs walking through the trees, playgrounds, turrets to climb, and an Alice in Wonderland themed maze. There’s also a garden of potions and children can look for the dwarfs hiding in their mushroom houses!
We stayed between Chateau d’Usse and Le Mans, where my DH got his kicks out of driving the family car (with us all inside it) around the Le Mans race track!

Puy du Fou is really not on route. Right, if you are going to Provence and want to stop off, then the area from Beaune to Maçon is lovely; lots of wine, Cluny abbey, la roche de Salutré.
If you are going down to Dordogne, then I agree with the suggestion of the Loire Valley. There is an enormous cycle path going along the river, which is beautiful. There are also opportunities to canoe on the Loire. The castles are spectacular, Leonardo da Vinci's house in Amboise is worth a visit, with some really good working models of his machines in the grounds.

French motorways are gene rally really easy to drive on and are well maintained -- but can be sheer hell in August.

For a first night break, depending on when you set off from home, Reims is a lovely cathedral city about three hours' drive from Calais. It has the usual chain hotels - Ibis, Novotel etc on the outskirts, near the motorway. I think you get a tram into the centre, or it's a fairly easy drive.
We went round the cathedral and then sat sipping champagne at a café-bar nearby. Life felt good.
Further south, if you're headed to Provence, Lyon is a big city, the "gastronomic capital" of France with lots of hotels , restaurants, shopping. Well worth a stopover.
Macon on the Rhône is also easy to get into, just off the motorway, nice walks along the river and good shopping and eating. And drinking!

Head the The Alps - stunning in summer not far off to the left from Lyon/Grenoble.