Travel plans are changing. We will be spending 3 or 4 nights in Paris and then onto Munich for 2 or 3 nights. Leaving mid-March. We have never been to Paris. Any particular area better than others? We will, of course, see the major sites. Any other suggestion? Is 3 nights sufficient or does Paris require an extra night? Any Paris hints at all would be greatly appreciated.

Hi !
You have never enough nights in Paris.
3 will give you hopefully 3 days, which is sufficient to get a feel of it. More is better.

Area within Paris : download a map of the 'arrondissements de Paris' it will show how Paris is divided and where the major sites are.

From there you must decide on
- aversion or not to taking metro
- aversion or not to being in touristy areas

Typical US tourist will stay in dead center : like Hotel Clement in the 6th, I mention because I as there this monday.

Typical European tourist will stay in more outer arrondissements : My daughter stayed last week in the 14th whilst I like to stay in the 18th.

I love about all arrondissement except 19th and 20 (some good area there yet, but on average not my favourite areas).

16th is very quiet. 8, 9, 10 are busier but also quite central.

Hints :
- get good shoes, walk a lot, and use the metro a lot too. Paris is realtively small, and the best way to see it is to walk.
- get layers for your clothes, mid march can be bad weather or nice but never really warm.
- buy Eifel Tower tickets in advance (on internet) to avoid queuing there or walk the 600 or so steps to first floor, from there you can access 2d floor with lift if you want to (but I usually stop at 1st floor).
- select a few museums : the well known ones and some smaller ones which are lovely : Cluny, Marmottan and Carnavelt come to my mind
- do a cruise on the Seine : I recommend vedettes du Pont Neuf, smaller than some others

Most important hint : don't overplan, don't overdo, relax, enjoy.

If you want some info on hotels or restaurants come back to us, we have some good regulars who like food !

Enjoy your trip and cajole your daughter - mine is 17 too and they'll be soon leaving the nest.

IMHO for a first visit to Paris you need at least 5 nights (4 days). This is true esp at that time of year since you don't have the very long evenings to see/do things you get in late spring or summer.

I would stay in the 5th or 6th - meaning you are within walking distance of many sights and also that easy access to a ton of restaurants and cafes. But part depends on your budget and what you expect to get for it, While there are some budget places in this area most are more modest/moderate; for lowest prices it;s often better to stay much further from the center.

What nightly budget are you looking for -in euros - and what do you expect to get for it?

I would like to spend no more than $200 per night in Paris.

andreadee...what kind of $? (USD, AND, Australian) Maybe start thinking in Euros.

she's American so $200 is now 183 euro.

I don't believe is saying any city "needs" any particular time and that you have to stay that or else. Big cities generally have more to see/do so you can spend more time there, that's all, this is true in every country. But it's your trip to plan as you wish, who knows what you'll like and what you won't. Besides, if that's all the time you have, you can't really change it if you want to see Munich.

This european normally stays in 5 or 6/13

In March (which is normal for us) the place is not too busy and we prefer to walk a fair bit so 5, 6 are easy, never stayed north (right bank) of the river, it may be nice up there I don't know. ;-) You will need warm clothes (layers) to enjoy the time outside. I suggest a seguay trip just to see the place, meet some other visitors and get some history.

You have to decide if you want to stay in an American type International hotel or local hotel. I'm assuming you will share and a local 3 or 4 star hotel will be fine (rooms will be smaller than you are used to and showers also but land is more expensive this side of the pond). There are loads south Bvd St Germain and trip advisor will advise...

Local restaurants abound, nice easy area with a few small markets and a bit of a student scene.

In fact now I read up I see NYT is just where I would be.

We have a good thread recently on restaurants, but there selection really depends on what you like to eat, you will find everything from Turkish to Moroccan or French fish to Japanese. I'd suggest maybe

1) Night try something very Trad French, perhaps http://www.fermestsimon.com/
2) Try something North African such as http://www.lemechouiduprince.com/ but I also like the restaurant on top of the Institute of the Arab World which has a great view (The Seine at night)
3) Try a Brasserie for a simpler meal. maybe http://www.tavernekarlsbrau.com/ which offers Alsation food.

But if you don't have the time to research your hotel will help out.

During the day just snack, be aware that France has a 35 hour working week so some smaller restaurants will open bang on the dot and close on the dot. But the larger places will have multiple staff roters.

Get the basic 40 phrases into your heads, in Paris the waiters and shopkeepers will know you are American and respond in English but France is very courteous so it is still normal to greet reception and the breakfast room in the morning, say hello to a shop etc etc. So don't start with "can i get a beer", start with " hello, could i have a beer" etc.

Munich, what can I say, I've been there too often for work and it leaves me dead. Do watch out though the place has bicycle paths on many pavements and they don't stop.

Have your daughter contribute to trip planning.. I always had my kids do that ( daughter was 11, and 19 when I took her , and son was 13) ( shes been with me twice ) ..
She is perfectly capable of googling "things to do in PAris " and giving you are list of things that she wants to do . ( ha.. my son came up with a doozy and I had to agree.. since that was the deal.lol )

Hotel Le Regent in the 6th ( St Germain ) has nice deluxe rooms ( don't book the standard.. they are TOO small) and its in a great location!

Ps OF COURSE add more time.. I mean if you are worried about getting bored or running out things to do.. ha.. that would be impossible even with a visit that lasted weeks.

Definitely get your daughter very involved. We did before out first trip with DDS when they were 11 and 14 and they had definite ideas on places to see and to eat as well as specific things to do (ballet and riding in the Bois de Boulogne). Also loved the chance to use their French in restaurants and shops.

"the basic 40 phrases" - really??? I've lived here for years, speak French well and don't use more than about 6 basic phrases on a daily basis...

The OP would probably be very happy staying near the Odeon, where there is a ton of shops, foodie-places and a good general buzz that many first-time American visitors seem to appreciate.
This is a good choice that fits your budget - make sure to ask for twin beds
http://www.residencehenri4.com/en/rates-booking/

let's split it and call it 20 then

Bonjour is a good start !

183 euros per night is adequate. Look at booking .com to find good deals.

Enjoy Paris.

The daughter should also learn 20 phrases. In addition to that planning she has to do.

Now with our kids ....