suggestions on how best to organize my itinerary for Paris and Normandy

Given the times involved and your priorities, I'd go to Paris first. Not sure how to do Vimy, but probably as a day trip from Paris since there is a TGV that will get you there in less than an hour. So two days trips by train, a night at MSM, and two days and nights in Bayeux. That leaves another two days in Paris itself. For this to work, you will want a car for the Norman portion, ending with a drive to the airport.

Maybe I am confused, but you have 4 places (Vimy, Paris, Versailles,(yes a daytrip from Paris) and Bayeux) with seven days to do this? YIKES. I love love love Versailles(been 7 times in my life) but seems to me Paris itself needs minimum of 3 days, so I would suggest you skip it,, and that is hard advice for me to give. Weather plays a part too, the weather in late October into Nov,, well don't expect it to be great, you may hit it lucky,, but Normandy that time of year can be rainy and cool, and even Paris, which would impact your enjoyment of Versailles as a huge part of the experience of enjoying Versailles is touring the huge grounds,, the Grand and Petit Trianons, Marie Antionettes Hamlet and the formal gardens, so perhaps play that by ear, if its rainy stay in Paris, a nice day might may sacrificing a day in Paris for Verailles worth it.

kathy, That's a lot to cover in only seven days! I'd suggest choosing either Vimy or Versailles, but not both. Unless you've been to Paris before, it really "needs" about four days, as there's so much to see. It will take at least half a day to travel from Paris to Bayeux, and the same for the return trip. If you're planning to take any of the excellent WW-II tours in Normandy, I'd suggest contacting the tour operators EARLY to determine what their hours of operation are at that time of year. Happy travels!

Thank-you for your information. After reviewing what you have said I believe I was trying to do too much. Would this be a better itinerary : Oct. 25 Cochem to Paris 26 to 30 Paris 31 & Nov. 1 ? Nov. 2 flying to Barcelona
3rd - 6th Barcelona (Monsterrat) Any suggestions on how to use my extra 2 days? My schedule is completely flexible between Oct. 25th (leaving Cochem) and Nov. 6th (boarding a cruise ship). Open to all suggestions. Thank-you

On the "2 extra days": You won't be bored in Paris, and you can take a day trip to the Vimy area if you like. Or you could spend 2 days based in Bayeux. No MSM, but Normandy beaches, tapestry, cathedral & charming old town.

For Vimy Ridge, the base is the town of Arras. The war monument is a about ahalf hour away by taxi. Sometimes in summer there is a shuttle; check out the Canadian government's useful site here http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/memorials/directions/vimymem You would be shortchanging yourself to try to do it in a day from Paris. The park and graveyards deserve an hour or two of walking and the tour of the ridge and the tunnels, guided by Canadian university students and very revealing, needs at least 90 minutes. If you overnight you can experience the town's handsome plazas and town hall with decent restaurant choices. The tourist office is in the town hall. Arras shows the distinct influence of nearby Belgium, in food and architecture, as compared to urban styles further to the south.
If you skipped Mont St-Michel and Versailles you would have more time to gain an appreciation of your remaining visit. Doing the whole thing in seven days would be hectic.

Thank-you for all your information. I have now decided to do 5 full days in Paris, travel by train to Arras, rent a car and do Vimy, then overnight in either Rouen or Honfleur (not sure of distances and times). I would then like to stay in Bayeux for 2 nights and visit all the sights, then head to Mont St-Michel for one night. Back to Paris the next day and then fly to Barcelona the following day for 1 full day. I will see Barcelona, hopefully, on another visit. Does this plan sound OK?