France: Check out the Paris contemporary-art scene and talk to the artists Tuesday through Nov. 1 at the city’s annual Grand Marché d’Art Contemporain, held outdoors on the Place de la Bastille.
More than 500 exhibitors, established and new, will be showing and selling at studio prices their paintings, ceramics, sculptures, drawings, photographs and other works. This year’s theme is "La Foule" ("The Crowd").
The show is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 27-28 and Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. There is a late-night opening from 5-10 p.m. Oct. 29. Entry is 8 euros for adults and free for children age 16 and younger.
Germany: Even if you’re not running in Frankfurt’s marathon Sunday, you can do a "shopping mile" at the Marathonmall, the annual sporting goods fair held in conjunction with the race Friday through Sunday at the Frankfurt fairgrounds.
More than 120 exhibitors will be offering the latest sports products, fashions, medical advice and information on clubs and holidays revolving around a variety of sports for the whole family. The mall is open 1-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Entry is free. The Web site is www.marathonmall.de. and has an English-language option.
• Through the weekend, Berlin will be aglow in the Festival of Lights. More than 40 of the capital’s famous sites, including the Brandenburg Gate and the Europa-Center, are illuminated with lights, projections and fireworks. Special events dealing with light also are planned around the sites.
For details, go to www.city-stiftung-berlin.eu/index.php, which offers an English-language option.
