I would like to rent a car, but avoid driving in Paris. I would like a location near the A13 highway which leads to Normandy.
Why don't you pick a town with a train station, in the direction that you're going? Rental car offices tend to be either next door or across the street from the train stations. Arras, Amiens, Rouen, etc. make good rental car pick-up points, depending on where you're aiming for in Normandy. This might actually be easier for you.