My husband and I will be visiting Paris and nearby cities in Sept 2010. We'll probably stay in Paris about 5 days then head out to Normandy, Caen, Rouen, etc. Which city would you recommend to spend a few nights in? We'll be renting a car to drive through the area to see different sites, but will stay at one hotel for those few days.

It might make sense to take the train to Rouen and rent the car when you are leaving the city. Why pay for the car and parking while you are not using it?

We did a driving trip through Normandy. We stayed in both Rouen and Bayeux. You could branch out from Rouen to Honfleur and you can branch out from Bayeux to Caen, Mont St. Michel or the D-Day beaches. Somewhat depends on what all you want to see and do. We actually did the reverse of what you're planning. We landed and got our car at the airport, did our driving trip and ended our trip with a stay in Paris. So are you planning on going back to Paris after you visit Normandy? Heading directly for the airport?

Train from Paris to Caen, rent the car, stay in Bayeux, do the landing sites with a tour company (Battlebus) wander Normandy including St. Michel. That would be my excursion and Bayeux my homebase. I like the hotels "d'Argouges" or "de Saint Croix"; the Churchill in a pinch.

I'm another in favor of taking the train to Rouen or Caen then renting a car for your trip. I split my Normandy stay between Honfleur and a tiny town not far from Bayeux. I find Honfleur more atmospheric but Bayeux closer to the WWII sites.

Definitely consider www.Battlebus.fr for tours. They are well reviewed here and on tripadvisor. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-day-tours.cfm
Ann Marie