I just want to thank everyone who helped me plan the France portion of our Europe trip. This part was the most complicated (we travelled around a lot, so there were more details to work out) and you all just really helped me! We got home yesterday, and the trip exceeded my expectations! We had one hiccup and that was with the car rental. I had read to be aware of the surcharge, but I thought that was only if you use the car for multiple countries (pick it up in one country, drop it off in another). We had reserved a car through Enterprise to drive from Caen to Bordeaux, because my husband's work can get a discount (even for personal use). Well, when we got to Enterprise in Caen, they added $200 for the surcharge, then they added another $200, because all of a sudden, we had a 250 km per day limit (I knew it was not unlimited, but I swear the website said 500 km limit, so I didn't think the overage would be much money). That was putting the car rental cost well over $700! So, we went next door to Avis, and they gave us their last car. The rental came with unlimited miles. We still had to pay that surcharge, and the cost only about $100 cheaper than Enterprise... but we drove in style in a Mercedes! (we had a basic compact car with Enterprise). I hope I never pay that much for a rental again (it was 2 months of payments on my little Ford Fiesta-haha)
Because of the car rental debacle, we only had enough time to see the Bayeaux tapestry and the American cemetery at Normandy. I'm a little disappointed, but both those sights were so amazing that it's hard for me to be too sad. Plus, it will give us an excuse to go back (and possibly go on a tour rather than try to do it ourselves).
Anyway, thanks again! I am proud of how well we did for our first trip to France, and I have this forum to thank!