Shopping is great in Paris! Maybe they don't have the continuous sales that we have in the States, but when they have their sales they are fantastic. I try to go every January for the shopping, and everything is on sale. It's also an inexpensive and uncrowded time to fly - - and the hotels are usually a bargain at that time. This past January air and hotel (my half) came to $490 for 4 nights.

To me a "trap" means a place with no other choices available, so you have no choice but to overpay. Paris has many options - there are many neighborhoods, hotels, stores, restaurants, etc. to choose from at ALL price levels. And yes, I have had a Coke in Paris, at various prices from about .75 to $4.00 - - and sometimes the $4.00 is worth it, especially when you can drink it at your leisure and spend a half hour or more relaxing and watching the people go by.

C'est votre choix!