I don't know if any guidebook has ever bothered to do this, but I took my notepad and camera and wrote down the price charged for a cola at every single establishment on the Champs Elysées.

Yes, I can hear a lot of you thinking "Who cares? I don't drink cola!" But I chose cola, because it is possibly the only product that is sold in every single place, while they all sell different wines, different brands of bottled water, different beers, etc.

I think the cola prices can give you a pretty good idea of how the prices will run for the other items available.

Here is my report: http://tinyurl.com/q7uzqo

Interesting. I had the impression that everything was expensive on the Champs (have not been in years). 8 euro is one pricey sugary drink.

Kerouac, you should be writing a book. Your photo journals are so interesting!

Incredibly fascinating, Kerouac! Loved your little asides. The photos are great, bring back lots of happy memories. I remember buying beer at the McDonalds on the Champs in 1991. Do they still sell it?

Nice Job kerouac.
Can't believe some of those prices, but they have massive rent to pay as you pointed out and above all there is always some poor unsuspecting tourist that will pay it.

So on to the next task.....
What are the chances of a similar research into the cheapest places to go that only the French know?



Muck

And there are people who wonder why many of us carry around water bottles.

Well done! Maybe you can find out, if Pepsi is considerably cheaper as it is over here, at least in the stores.
Coke, 1.5 liters = 1.19€
Pepsi 1.5 liters = 0.82€

Maybe it pays to swap Coke for Pepsi. But then the Champs Elysées may be too fancy for Pepsi?

Good work Kerouac.
Very interesting and nicely done.
I have an interesting and funny story of Fouquets when I first visited it as a kid with my parents 35 years ago, and which I won't relate now. Glad to see that it's still going strong, icon that it is.

kerouac, Good work. Thanks. Your commentary is great.

But <i>The report starts on the left side of the Arc de Triomphe going down the street. And then I went down the right side.</i> If I am standing at the Arc the sequence is down the right side first.

I agree, you should be writing a book, Kerouac.

Why do some places charge more for a smaller size Coke then the larger size? That seems so strange.

Another question, are there really sunglasses that allow fellows to see through the burqus?

Yes, Maggi, McDonald's still sells beer (as does Quick). You can substitute beer for the soft drink in any value meal at no extra charge.

Great report and lots of fun to read!!!

That would go over big in this country, can you imagine?

Kerouac, merci buttercups for your great "boots on the ground" report! Another vote for your book...

This is good to know info, but I'd be more interested in where all the toilets are!
Just kidding, but I did have a few panicky moments trying to find one in France. We'd stop in restaurants and buy drinks or have a small snack just so I could use the facilities.
The free-standing ones on the street were very iffy, based on one I saw when it opened I would not even consider it except in the most dire circumstances.

I enjoyed your information, presented very nicely and loved the pictures and comments. Thanks.

Another good reason to stop for that beer at McDonalds!

Kerouac,

I was actually more interested in the back stories of the cafes/rest. than the actual prices! I would never have guessed that it would be suburban teenagers hanging out at Pizza Pino at 5 am because they missed the last train home.

So stores actually have to pay more on one side of the street because of the afternoon sun? That's sounds crazy to me, but that's probably because I'm from a hot, tropical climate and everyone is usually fighting over the shady spots. I'm guessing that if Mcdonalds was across the street, they would actually be turning a profit.

Loved this!

Kerouac,
You should write a travel guide! I've bookmarked and written down many of your inside information for my upcoming trip. I'm looking forward to finding some of your places!

Most interesting article I've read in a very long time. Thx!!