I just returned from my 8th trip to Paris (all leisure - yeah, like I will ever have a business trip to Paris). Yeah, Paris is always a good idea.

Every city in the world can be expensive or cheap depending on your preferences.

I've had $35US appetizer of five asparagus spears(yeah, that's how a meal can add up to $100US a person for the food portion) but i've also had awesome 5 course tasting menu for $35US per preson.

And yes - cokes/evian/etc is still 10FF out of a vending machine. And remember, prices at restaurants and cafes include tax and tip. So that's an automatic "discount" relative to US menu prices.