The towns of Poitiers, Angers, Nantes and Rennes offer visitors a splendid setting for experiencing the western side of France. Plan a route beginning in Poitiers, where you can admire the 4^th-century Saint-Jean baptistery and a scaled-down version of Lady Liberty in New York City. Tour the archaeology exhibits at the Musée Sainte-Croix, and the Romanesque architecture at the Eglise Notre-Dame-la-Grande, then head off on the 91-mile route to Angers. Along the way, make time to tour the Château de Brissac, known locally as the Giant of the Loire Valley.

In Angers, take in the largest fortress in the Loire Valley — the massive Château d’Angers, where the oldest French medieval tapestry known to exist, the Apocalypse Tapestry, is on display. Not far from the city, you’ll find the 15^th-century Château du Plessis-Bourré, complete with working drawbridge above a water-filled moat. From Angers, it’s 56 miles to Nantes, where Surrealism has its roots and author Jules Verne grew up. Today, you can visit the Musée Jules Verne, where creations inspired by his novels, including a 39-foot high walking Grand Elephant, come to mechanical life.

Drive the 70 miles from Nantes to Rennes (or take the train), where 286 color-drenched medieval timber-frame houses can be found near the collection of modern history and science museums along Les Champs Libres. Along with the Espaces des Sciences museum and planetarium, you’ll find the Musée de Bretagne with a wealth of exhibitions detailing the history of Brittany. Rennes is also the location of the Yaouank Festival, a festival of traditional dance including plenty of music and local food.