The huge graveyard is quite impressive as well. But it's been 8 years since last time i was by, so things might have changed.
YES! (ok, that sounds... dunno, weird) But if there is anything that really stays with you for the rest of the life it's the sheer impact of white crosses... as far as you can see.
It really is twisted and sick, yet so calm and... I dunno, it just really makes you realise what happened....
Now I've been too Normandy three times, but while I could tell you about some damn good museums and some other stuff, I actually have NO fucking clue where they actually are, the first time I was 11, second time 12 and third time 15 (now (almost) 17) So I didn't do the driving. Point du Hoc was pretty nice, but a bit crouded, the beaches were OK I guess, but not much too see except for some decaying bunkers. Saint mere Eglise is pretty fun, but way of your route (so is the other stuff anyway) I haven't been much into the land, mostly around the beaches, the only time that we actually went more towards paris etc was when I was 15, but I honestly can't recall where I have been, but like I said, this is what I suggesT:
1. !Visit one of the massive graveyards!
2. Try to visit some lesser known museum, we actually found one, it was a private museum, run by some old guy, he actually gave us some stuff, including a original radio lamp (I think it's called).
3. Go there for 4, 5 days (or at least 4 to 5 days without being drunk) and visit stuff around the beaches.