Brits seeking a unique city break this autumn might want to consider Rennes, an often-overlooked gem in France holidays. Despite being just an hour’s flight from the UK and home to stunning medieval architecture and a grand cathedral, Rennes is frequently bypassed by tourists flocking to more popular destinations like Paris or Marseille, reports the Mirror.

However, its relative obscurity means that Rennes offers a wealth of budget-friendly accommodations and affordable flights for those who choose to visit. For those with Paris on their bucket list, Rennes is a mere 90-minute journey away, making it an easy addition to your itinerary. The city boasts a vibrant array of shops, cafés and bars, along with a thriving art scene that spans from street art to the Fine Arts Museum.

Music enthusiasts will find a host of live music venues and festivals throughout the year, featuring both up-and-coming and established artists.

Food lovers should plan their trip over a weekend to experience France’s second largest market, held every Saturday in Rennes. Here, you can sample world-renowned French cuisine, including local favourites such as sausage wrapped in buckwheat pancakes.

One of Rennes’ major attractions is its accessibility from the UK. Flights from London take approximately an hour, and the journey from the airport to the city centre can be completed in less than 15 minutes.

Rennes has been crowned Europe’s best city for an overnight break, according to a recent study by travel insiders at Holidu. The research considered various factors including flight time from the UK, distance between the airport and city centre, walking time between the top three attractions, and the average cost of a hotel stay per night, which in Rennes averages around £69.39.

Autumn is an ideal time to visit, with temperatures hovering around 22C in September and 17C in October. Budget travellers may find October particularly appealing as flights can be found from £49 via Skyscanner.

Currently, easyJet is the only airline offering direct flights from the UK, departing from either London Gatwick or Manchester. For accommodation, Kayak offers Rennes hotels from £42 a night outside peak holiday seasons.

Rennes wasn’t the only French city to shine in the Holidu rankings. Nantes was a close second, boasting a flight time of approximately an hour and all major attractions within a 39-minute walk.