I'll be returning to France and for the first time not spending all of my time in Paris. I plan on flying into CDG, renting a car and touring around Normandy for several days before going back to Paris for the rest of the trip. Anyway, the plan is to visit Senlis, Rouen, Caen, Bayeaux (D-Day tours included) and Mont St. Michel. Our itinerary is not set in stone at all. Any thoughts on whether it would be best to drive to MSM right off and then backtrack towards Paris or work our way from Paris west and then come back from MSM? Also, any other towns in these areas that are worth visiting and small, traditional type hotels or B&B's to stay in along the way? Finally, are there any car rental companies to absolutely avoid and any that come highly recommended. Thanks for any thoughts and all help than can be provided.

Everyone will tell you to go to Honfleur and they are right. Then drive the coast to get a look at Trouville, Deauville. South of there, Beuvron-en-Auge is one of the most picturesque villages anywhere. La Boule d'Or is a nice restaurant there. Pave d'Auge is more haute cuisine and has a Michelin star. Simple advice for Bayeux -- be there first thing in the morning. It tends to get really crowded by midday.

Hi L,

For car rental see www.novacarhire.com and www.autoeurope.com

Some good threads to review prior to your trip:

Trip Report: France car rental & driving
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34866860

Autoroutes in France - how to pay
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34821279

Renting Car with Automatic Transmission
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34856580

Also:
"Driving in France" by R. Underhill
http://makeashorterlink.com/?M3A212FDD

We had a rental car in Normandy.
We took the train to Caen. The car rental office was literally just outside the exit from the Caen train station. Picking up a rental car in Caen is so stress free that you might want to consider it.

We spent one night at 700 year old BnB/ chateau in the countryside near Caen. You have to drive to get a meal but we liked it. The group has a website with about 165 listings (bien venue au chateau is the name).

Call autoeurope on their 800 number once you work out a plan--the reps are very knowledgable. Plan to drop the car someplace and take a train back to Paris.