I am departing for paris on 4/4/08. I have rented an apartment, am using ff miles and plan on taking the shuttle from CDG into town. I have visited Paris several times. What you have aloted for food is adequate if you aren't a foodie. Paris is a city where you can be master of your food expense. I rent an apartment to be able to have breakfast, store picnic fixings and snacks. Lunch menus are less expensive than evening meals...fixed price menus are less expensive than ordering directly from the menu. If you enjoy wine...order the house carafe of wine rather than a bottle it is usually cheaper. Easting cheap can be a fun challenge. Visit the markets, enjoy the onion soup, the creapes, wonderful cheeses and breads.
If you decide againist you trip to Paris and stay Stateside, I don't know where your destination is going to be...but traveling in the States isn't cheap when you add up airfare, gas, lodging, food and amusement!

Thanks so much for everybody's suggestions!

If we decide to still go, we'll plan on eating in at least for breakfast, and then having "picnic-style" lunches or dinners.

I've been doing lots of research these past few days, and it does seem that, especially if we switch to the less expensive apartment, and since we're flying free, we can do this trip for about $2,300. Not bad for a week in Paris!

Samsaf - not bad at all! I hope you enjoy - keep us posted.

Samsaf~ I may have missed this while reading replies, but will chime in here...you can also buy wonderful pre-prepared dishes at the department stores. (no cooking needed) They all have great food halls. Depending on where your apt is you may also check out the Air France bus from/to the airport. A roundtrip also saves you a few euros.

If you think you can/want to do it on $2300, then you should. Personally, that would be about $300-500 more than I'd need for 2 people, 7 nights, eating in restaurants every night...which as lots of people have said, isn't necessary....and seeing just about all I could fit into a week's time. And you have the "luxury" of canceling the tix if you change your mind later, with only the airline penalty to get your miles back. If it's where you want to go, I'd keep heading that way, at least for now...

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