Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

I visited northern France for the annual Paris-Roubaix Pro-Cycling race. The one day race is famous for rough terrain and cobblestones and is one of the 'Monuments' or classics of the European calendar. The race also known as Hell of the North and a Sunday in Hell began in 1896 is one of cycling's oldest races. My short film features action from several dusty stages of the race in the towns of Inchy, Hornaing and at the Moulin De Vertain. Also keep a look out for a TGV train. Images Follow

Whilst visiting Northern France to film the Paris - Roubaix bike race I had a chance for a brief stop in Lille. The largest city in French Flanders Lille old town is known for its characterful 17th century buildings with various wrought iron signs and traditional narrow streets opening into larger open squares making the area well worth a visit. Look out for the upside down house and the Vieille Bourse (Old stock exchange), built from 1652 to 1653 This building is made up of 24 little houses around an arched courtyard. A second-hand book market as well as chess players can be seen inside.

My film features the professional (and dusty !) Paris - Roubaix Bike Race which took place in April 2013 and was filmed at various locations along the route in France. The Race takes place (as its name suggests) on a route between Paris and Roubaix in northern France and is famous for its rough terrain and cobblestones which often cause riders to fall and gives the race its nickname of 'The Hell of the North & 'A Sunday in Hell'. The event was first run in 1896 and as one of cycling's oldest races draws large crowds from many country's. The race was created by two Roubaix textile manufacturers, Théodore Vienne and Maurice Perez.

The Eiffel Tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, who designed and built the tower. The tower was Erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair and has become both a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. My video filmed in the early morning shows the tower from various angles and demonstrates how the tower dominates the Parisian skyline so spectacularly, It also almost seems to glow against the blue sky in the morning sun.