DAY 5 Sun, 75-100 miles: From Blois-area drive to Chambord & spend perhaps an hour on grounds, not inside. To Chenonceau which is probably the chateau that we will tour indoors - besides Versailles Palace; we've yet to see indication of amt of time a tour takes, perhaps because it is self-guided. May leave in early p.m. for Villandry Gardens visit of hour or 2. Then to Saumur area to get a B&B & see some Troglodyte sights.
Day 6, 150 mi: To la Rochelle, maybe Royan, Saintes & nearby Pons: focus is ancesry-connected sites.
Day 7, 225 mi: To Sand Dunes on coast below Bordeaux for some climbing; maybe a Basque-related shopping stop @ Bayonne &/or beach at Biarritz; visit St-Jean-de-Luz church & get B&B there or on Spanish side.
Thank You for the feedback I've already seen to my first post today! And, of course, more is welcome on this & any additional posts that I manage to make.