France Itinerary Options

I would go for option 2, simply because I don't love the idea of jet-lagged people hitting the road immediately upon arrival and putting themselves and everyone else on the road in danger.

Completely agree. That’s why I asked about the train.

jonathanhandrews,
I like option 1, but I would take the train to Beaune and rent the car from there. Everything else sounds well-planned.
Have fun!

Also, I swear I saw a 90 minute train from CDG to Dijon but can't for the life of me find it. Does anyone know if that exists?

I don't think it does. It might have at some point previously, but now you need to go to Gare de Lyon in Paris for trains to Dijon. Not a huge deal IMO.
Dijon-Beaune is a short drive which I would consider safe enough even after a very long day/night.
Or you could head straight to Beaune; there are some car rental options there and you don't need a car on your first day of Beaune exploration.

And I do prefer option 1, because it is more varied than option 2 (you add Burgundy instead of seeing "more Normandy").

You will have more options to choose from for rentals at the airport, and it will be cheaper to rent and return the car to the same location. If you're worried about driving the day you fly, consider getting a budget hotel in the suburbs with free parking to rest up, have a continental breakfast, and get a fresh start to drive to Beaune. Enjoy your tour of the wine country, and drive back to CDG to drop off the car. Then, take the train to Bayeux. The D-day tours come with a driver since the sites are spread out and include the cemeteries. You can also book tours to MSM and other sites. Return to Paris to finish your trip in style. I just rented a car to explore the Loire Valley in March. Not a fan of French roads, but I would do it again. Exits on the major highways are few, so be careful not to miss your exit. Some rest areas include a gas station and convenience store, so look for symbols on the upcoming rest area sign. I found these gas stations' fresh food and coffee to be a higher quality than the junk food found at most gas stations in the US.

Some rest areas include a gas station and convenience store, so look for symbols on the upcoming rest area sign. I found these gas stations' fresh food and coffee to be a higher quality than the junk food found at most gas stations in the US.

Absolutely. I particularly recommend the chain restaurant Paul, which often puts its outlets at gas stations and which makes excellent sandwiches. I personally much prefer Paul to Brioche Dorée.