Budget allowance
 

While in france what would be a reasonable budget per day excluding buying gifts.Accomodation has been paid for.

Last spring we managed very nicely on $150 (us) including lodging, but not the cost of the rental car. Check out our trip report.

http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=1259

As you will likely hear from many Fodors denizens, it all depends on your tastes and tolerances. If you prefer to save every possible penny then you can eat street food or picnic on comestibles and beverages from a grocery store, and could likely do OK on about 20 - 25 euro per person per day.
(BKFST- coffee and a pastry at a neighborhood cafe ~ 5-6euro; LUNCH crepe or sandwich or pret a manger salad or cheese, some pate and bread plus a beverage 6-10; DINNER just like lunch, maybe a little more substantial or some wine ~ 9-12)
If you want to have some of your meals at decent (cheap to moderate) restos, brasseries or cafes then crank it up to at least 35- 50 person/day.
If you want dine dining at all times, the sky is the limit.
You can also mix it up a bit, go the cheap route some days and splurge on others.
Note that this does not include admission to attractions or local transportation.

Thanks for your help. I was planning on 100 euros each a day but that included buying souvenirs as well.I was thinking that would not be enough, but now I am sure it will be. We are quite happy to eat from bakery's and make our own breakfasts, with the occasional nice meal out somewhere.

With accommodation already covered you should do fine with 100 euro pp/day. That will not allow for a lot of splurging but you will have no problem keeping body and soul together ;-)
In terms of souvenirs, note that you will see many of the same sort of things all over the place (e.g., miniature Eiffel towers, key chains, paperweights, snow globes, berets, T-shirts) and would do well to compare prices if you are watching expenses.
If you plan to visit Versailles, consider the <<forfait loisir>> which is a sort of package deal that gets you RT transport on RER, admission tickets without waiting in line multiple times, and rental of headphones for the audio tour, all tucked in a little souvenir wallet. Buy at the Transilien kiosk (not the main ticket windows) at a train station -we got ours at gare du Nord.

100 euro per day per person is a generous budget. you should be just OK with that imo, even enough for a few splurges now and then.

Hi dutchkiwi!

My favorite souvenirs to buy are from the local Monoprix. I usually buy some fleur de sel, mustard, confitures etc that are either not available here in California or are very expensive. These items are usually very inexpensive in Monoprix and I find them much more appreciated than a typical souvenir.

Have a good trip!

margy

When I say souvenirs, I don't mean the usual tacky stuff you see in touristy places. I look forward to buying things that we can't buy in NZ. I have a feeling our luggage will be well over weight when we return.
Is it worth posting items back from france or is the price inhibitive.

Thanks Seamus.

Don't think we will be visiting Versailles, but if we do I will use your suggestion.
A lot of places have multi admission prices that are a lot cheaper. I certainly is the way to go. Can you pick them up in France at information centres.

I have mailed home my dirty clothes to make room in my suitcase for new purchases.