Driving to South of France from Midlands

[Taswama]

We are thinking of having 2 weeks in France this summer - Dordogne /Lot, eg Rocamadour.
Driving looks a lot cheaper than flying and hiring a car but I'm trying to work out the logistics of getting there.
Is it best to drive to Kent (about 4 hours), stay there and then get an early ferry and then drive in one go. Seems too far to me.
Or try and get an afternoon ferry and stay in North France? (But worried about traffic on the way and queues at the port)
Or 2 overnights, one in Kent, one in France which will be expensive.

Any thoughts?

@Curledupwithagoodbook @puttingontheritz @crackofdoom @Mischance

The afternoon Portsmouth / Caen is definitely looking like the best option. Thanks for pointing that one out. Especially liking the details of where to get breakfast!

I had an annual trip to the South of France growing up too @Worldgonecrazy but starting much further south so we usually stopped around Tours or Orléans. Lots of games of eye-spy and snoozing in the back.

We overnighted Dijon on the way, Paris (Disney 3 nights) on the way back

Just a word of warning, Brittany ferries is £££ this year!