Very beginning of planning....Bayeux and Paris

The plan makes sense to me!
Allow for 3.5-4 hours between plane arrival at CDG and train departure from Paris Saint-Lazare to Bayeux. Best to book that train ahead for cheaper fares, and do take a cab from CDG to Paris Saint Lazare (50€ per car flat fare vs. 10€/person by public transportation).
Car rental the day after you arrive can be a bit challenging with jet lag...but car rental options on a Sunday can be limited. Double check, but if you can rent a car on the Sunday then I would do the D-Day tour on Saturday. Book car rental ahead.

We've been to Europe twice with the boys and that first day they sleep in. We wake them at 10. I'm worried about forcing them awake early for the tour on Saturday. Things to ponder....

From my experience, book your Normandy tour immediately. I planned further out that you, and it was still difficult to find a tour -- but we did.

Thanks gbrennan. Just messaged Overland. If they are full, I'll look at another tour group.

jaclyn

Bayeux Shuttle has great tours.

I was able to get four Overland tickets for the Utah/Omaha all day tour. Just don't tell my hubby how much they were. :) Now to continue planning.

Don't overlook the Bayeux tapestry (Bayeux Embroidery for the Art Historian purists) while in Bayeux. The exhibit is spectacular and there is a small museum above the exhibit that may be of interest for the boys. Daytripping to MSM will put you into the crowds; but, that may be your only option. Enjoy the visit!

Renting a car in Caen is MUCH MUCH easier than in Bayeux. When I rented from Bayeux there was only a Hertz facility which was actually just a side business of 3 or 4 cars in a parking lot of a local petrol station and little to no English was spoke. Luckily my B&B host accompanied me. If he had not been there I don't think any of the employees would have bothered to actually give me the rental cars and papers to sign.

I've rented from the Hertz facility (a gas station) in Bayeux 3 times and never had an issue. But if you require an automatic, then Caen would be your best bet.

Hotel Churchill in Bayeux has a shuttle to MSM- might be simpler than renting a car- especially if you are only going for the day. (Anyone can use not just Churchill guests)
http://www.hotel-churchill.fr/en/shuttle-bayeux.html

We used Bayeux Shuttle for an all day tour- thought it was excellent.
http://www.bayeuxshuttle.com

Had an excellent tour with Normandy Sightseeing Tours just this week. You might check with them. We also rented our car at the Hertz location here and everything was fine, but we reserved online through Hertz. We decided to forego the long day trip to MSM, though, due to reports of the hordes there. On the list for “next time.”

Be sure to get to Arromanches-les-Bains, only a few minutes from Bayeux. Extraordinary site, easy parking, easy to walk everywhere.

Darrel - the tapestry is on the list

Tim - it looks like Bayeux has more rental options now. Renault rents and is a 15 minute walk from the house we rented. No issue with driving a standard.

MSM - will be done in the afternoon just due to our logistics. I know it's not ideal. And going a bit later in the day will mean there are no tour options.

Thank you everyone. All of this info is giving me a good jump start.