I am planning a 2 week vacation for my parents in Europe. We are starting in London for a couple of days, and then taking the Eurostar to Paris for a day and half. We really wanted to go to Normandy, but don't want to rent a car at that point in the trip. Is there train service between Paris and places in Normandy, and is there transportation available in Normandy to travel to the different beaches/locations?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on where to go/stay when we arrive in Normandy?

A tour will be really essential if you don't have a car. Public transport to the beaches is almost non-existent. You could train from Paris to Bayeux and pick up a tour there,

Battlebus Tours are highly recommended.

http://www.battlebus.fr/Bayeux_Travel.html

You might try the Churchill Hotel in BAyeux

There is a good train service from Paris to Cherbourg, via Caen and Bayeux.
Buses go to the towns on the coast. Line 74, for example, goes from Bayeux to Arromanches and Courseulles:
http://www.busverts.fr/_hiver/base_h...mbre/L74S2.pdf

Another good thing about a tour is you have a knowledgeable guide who describes what went on. Without a guide you are just looking at sand and water!

Another vote for the Churchill Hotel and for Battlebus Tours. We went to Normandy with a private driver (not a guide) the first time, and while it was nice to get an overview, the tour with Battlebus was much, much better!