I spent some time in Paris and Bayeux/the Normandy region and found that it was easy to get to by public transport (train), but once you get there, that's where the ease stops. When we were there in 2007, we used rented and hired cars to get us around. As a previous poster said, getting to the beaches is somewhat difficult. Having a professional take us there took a lot of hassle out of it (he was even able to get us to some private, off-limits spots), and we were still able to enjoy the beautiful ride.

Getting around town (and in between towns) is no problem with a rental car as the pace is obviously slower than in Paris. I would recommend renting a car for exploring, but to do a beach/cemetary tour, a hired car is the best way to get the most out of the experience. Have fun!