Here is my plan - 2 1/2 days in Paris and then a morning train to Rouen, rent a car and backtrack to visit Giverney for part of the day, double back to Rouen spend the rest of the day and part of the next walking around Rouen. Drive to Bayeaux taking the 'backroads' stopping in Camembert or similar spot along the way. Spend 2 days in Bayeaux - with a Normandy Battlegound tour and walking around Bayeaux. Head to MSM and spend the night so to enjoy MSM without too many crowds. Next day head to LeMans and work my way back to Rouen and the train back to Paris.

Oct 3 - 6 Paris
Oct 6 - 7 Paris - Rouen
Oct 7 - 9 Rouen - Bayeaux
Oct 9 MSM
Oct 10 MSM to Paris
Oct 11 a 14:00 flight back to U.S.

Why all the backtracking?

Suppose they think have to return car where got it? But could return in Le Mans or Rennes for TGVs to Paris and have more time in Normandy. check on returning cars elsewhere - even St-Malo, etc.

Oct 7 is a Sunday and all the shops will be closed in Rouen. Camembert is our least favorite cheese town in Normandy. Liverot & Pont l'Eveque are much more interesting. Bayeux does not have an "a" in it. Rennes is a lot more interesting, IMO, than Le Mans. Save some driving time & visit Rennes instead and then take the new super fast 1 1/2 to 2 hr TGVs back to Paris.

Here is what I wrote about Liverot & Pont l'Eveque in my Normandy & Brittany itinerary


- Liverot – this town is famous for its cheese by the same name – one of the best in Normandy. There is a very good self-guided tour through a cheesemaking facility just to the south of town on the “white” road that runs through town (not the D579). There are a few half-timbered buildings in town (BTW, I would not recommend a visit to Camembert)

If you like towns with cross-timbered buildings, head to Pont l’Eveque – which, of course, is famous for cheese by the same name. Most of the picturesque houses are along the D675 and west of the D579.

Stu Dudley

Here are a few suggestions.

Train to Giverny. Assuming Monet's garden? Get back on train to Rouen. Spend day and part of next touring Rouen.
Rent car when done in Rouen. Drive to Bayeux as proposed.
Go to MSM spend the night.
Leave MSM and head to Rennes. Drop car there and train to Paris.