Connection time at CDG on a separate ticket

Should have cancelled first ticket and then rebooked with the new itinerary all the way to Florence.
As it is you will have to collect bags at CDG and then go to the check-in area outside of security and start the process to get on the new flight.

You’ve given yourselves a better chance but there is no way I’d have a breakfast prior to going back through security for your 2nd flight. I’d get to the gate area of my second flight before I’d count on sitting down for a cup of coffee and croissant. Hopefully a 4 hour layover will be enough time.

You are gambling the right way when flying on a separate ticket. Where to eat breakfast before or after security of course depends on the first flight and if checked baggage comes out in a timely manner.

Have breakfast after you arrive at the gate of your flight to Florence. How are you getting home?

You should be OK. The only serious risk is cancellation of your original flight. We had done what you propose with a 4 to 6 hour window for transfer and always made it will time to spare till two trips back when our US flight was cancelled as we sat on the runway waiting to take off. We were already so late on take off because of mechanical delays we probably would have missed that flight anyway. We thought that we were covered with flight delay insurance but didn't read the fine print close enough.

Yeah we may have gambled. We are not checking bags. We always do carry-on. So I guess as soon as we land we will hustle to our next gate. Then try and find someplace for a quick bite. We fly home from Paris so we decided to do Paris at the end. If we get stuck, will have learned a valuable lesson.

Did we do this right?

You will have to tell us, probably at 1 PM on the day you travel.

.Some airlines close boarding 30 min. prior to departure, so the 4.5 hr gap can shrink even more, assuming you arrive on schedule

The 1245 was definitely the 'right choice' vs the 930 option.

Frank - what airline were you flying? Can't believe it got cancelled while on runway!

With no checked bags, you have made your situation much easier, and I will say that 4 hours is plenty of time. The point being you will not need to leave the secure zone and go back through security, probably the biggest delay and unknown. Once you land, make sure you follow the signs for connecting flights to your new terminal/gate. There will be passport control specifically for in-transit passengers, If you need to check-in, you can do that airside at a kiosk or service counter. Plenty of options airside for a quick bite.

A few years ago I did the same, but to Rome instead of Florence. I did it with a 2 1/2 hour connection on two separate tickets and it all went fine, with about an hour to spare. Now a days I book on the same ticket, if able to, just to play it safe and be covered if flights are delayed or missed.