Cheap flights from Manchester to Brest from £99

Lovely houses with coloured shutters surround Guerin Square in Brest. Locals gather here to play petanque (a ball game, the main rule of which is not to lift the heel off the ground when throwing the ball) and have a drink. Join the locals or watch the unhurried life of the city from a café terrace.

The Brest conservatory cultivates rare species of different plants and trees and is a real heaven for a nature-lover. In July and August, two of its great greenhouses are open to the public. They have many rare plants there and a picturesque territory with ponds where you can just sit and relax for hours.

If you love desserts, you may have heard that creme brulee was invented in France. But only in Brest, this delicacy is still prepared according to the traditional recipe. Order this dessert at any local cafe to try this speciality!