anthonysemone
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Jim, if you visit Paris, be advised that in the more heavily visited City sites, e.g., Trocadero, Louvre, Notre Dame, Monmarte, etc., my wife and I saw countless local LE (though unarmed) amongst which were also substantial numbers of fully armed and armor-plate vested, French soldiers, who, at that time, were armed with what appeared to be FAMAS select-fire rifles in 5.56. They patrolled in "fire-team" sized groups (4 members), disallowed their pictures being taken, and let it be known they were not at all interested in having anybody to make contact with them. Trust me: these were serious-appearing operators.  (as you likely know, they would be the first taken out in any attack).
In 2010, my wife and I visited both the village and the Cathedral Chartres, and they were incredibly beautiful, though the Cathedral was then undergoing major interior renovation. Still is last I read. Train trip there was wonderful; people were very, very friendly, helping us with French (my wife is marginally conversational) while we helped with English (entirely unnecessary). In 2011, my wife and I took an 8-person tour of Normandy, spent most of the time at the American National Cemetery, Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc. It is true, beyond all doubt, that "Freedom is NEVER Free." IIRC, the link is the group we toured with. We took a train to Bayeux from Gare du Nord.
https://www.normandy-sightseeing-tours.com/d-day-tours/full-day/tour-e-1-u-s-beaches.html
Pure serendipity, when we returned from Colville-sur-Mer, we happened upon the Paris Commemoration of Tower attacks of 9/11. It was entitled "The French Will Never Forget." My wife and I were encountered by numerous French men and women, tears on their face, and telling us in English, "we are so sorry for your losses; we will NEVER forget; you are in our hearts." Brought us both to tears at the time, and, now, even so still true, as we recall that day.
https://www.parisperfect.com/blog/2011/09/the-french-will-never-forget-a-commemoration-of-911-in-paris/
FWIW, we never felt unsafe in Paris, but that also meant that we weren't walking around with our head up our respective ass , I took pictures while my wife had my Six. Defenseless I was not! Nevertheless but we knew, that "safety" is ephemeral and the luck of the draw. I knew full well that all the gendarmerie who were present wouldn't be able to do squat in the face of any attack at all. At many of the highly visited sites we were greeted with metal detector, armed guards deploying wands for further checks. Several of those sites felt like TSA "all over again."
Only one negative social interaction in our three trips there, and that with a cabbie who made NYC cabbies pale as to rudeness. He resented the fact that we hired him for only a 10 block ride. He refused to let us debark his cab upon arrival at Musee d'Orsay, demanding a large fare and tip (English was good). I advised him that he had better immediately unlock (and I'll clean up my USMC language here) the xxxxxxx doors, or I would personally climb over the xxxxxxx seat (no barrier), and do it myself, and doing that after having engaged in a suitably efficacious, respiratory intervention. (Never, ever be without a substantial length of suitably configured Paracord when traveling in non-permissive environments.) And, as well "command voice" can have salutary effects. 
Long and short of it.... We had given thought to going back this year, but there is so much of our own Country to see before it devolves into just another progressive, mob-ruled, democratic bailiwick - Venezuela comes to mind, or before I/we go over Rainbow Bridge. (not sure which will come first, given our age.  ). The Wind River Range and the Tetons are calling for one last backpack adventure.
If you can go only one place in the country side, for goodness sake, go to Normandy, and, Yes, were I to do it over again, I would rent a car and drive, being very mindful of the many radar cameras spotted along the highways which presumably are making a photo record of your speed. That possibility did not seem to faze the accelerator foot of our tour driver. 
Whatever you decide, Jim, Congratulations to you both, and have a truly wonderful, memorable time. We did for sure.
tony
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