Car hire in Cherbourg on a Sunday

A quick check on the Deutsche Bahn site shows a train just about once an hour on Sunday to Bayeux and it takes just about 1 hour to get there.

Thanks Sam.
Is there any way to hire a car on a Sunday?

Car hires at non-airport locations are problematic on Sundays in Europe. I'd say get to Bayeux, get a room, and book the hire-car for Monday morning.

Thanks, I was looking at that option as a last resort. We want to see the Bayeux Tapestry and D Day landings in one day so this will turn it into a bit of a rush.

You don't need a car to see the Bayeux Tapestry, the museum is open until 6 or 6:30 depending on the season, and in the center of town. So you could check that one off on your arrival day.

You don't need a car to see the D-Day areas. There are many many tours of the area, very well done most of them and full of the history and stories, and many leave right from the centre of Bayeux.

You certainly don't need a car to see the Bayeux Tapestry, it is right in the centre of the (not too big) town.

Ditto to what both Sam and Nigel said -- I did both without a car. I'd argue you'd get MORE out of visiting the D-Day beaches if you're not driving your own vehicle but have instead hired one of the many fabulous guides in the area. It enriches your experience immeasurably.

Can you recommend a D Day tour company? One that would pick up at your hotel as we are 6 kms out of town.

There are several. I don't have them to hand.

I think that when Ken wakes up he may have the list or when I get home from work I'll do a search here if nobody has chipped in.

Thanks Nigel.

This thread from 2 years ago gives a list provided by Ken.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/any-advice-on-finding-a-d-day-tour-guide-for-sep-2014