Behind the scenes of Le Tour de Love

Lilac Mills
Jul 17, 2021
2 min read

Updated: Dec 22, 2025

Three devices display the book "Le Tour de Love" by Lilac Mills. The Paris skyline and Eiffel Tower are in the background, with a pink hue.

It's my OH who is the cycling fan, but I was quite happy to be persuaded to visit France when Le Tour de France cycling race was on a few years ago. I mean, I could put up with seeing some sweaty men on bikes if it meant being in France, right?

And I must admit, I fell in love with the country, and Paris especially. There are so many beautiful towns and villages, houses and churches, and stunningly breathtaking scenery, that I simply had to write about it! And because I wanted to get as much of it into one book as possible, incorporating Le Tour de France into the story seemed as good a way as any. So that was how my uplifting sports romance, Le Tour de Love, came into being.

Collage of French landmarks: Château de Bagatelle, Château Fort in Lourdes, Brioude church, half-timbered buildings in Troyes, and Eglise Saint-Vulfran in Abbeville.

Collage of landscapes: winding Col du Tourmalet, historic Mont Saint Michel, barren Mont Ventoux, serene Montréjeau lake, and Utah Beach dunes.

Here are a few images from the race itself - you'll recognise these in the book, too, if you've read it. And I was so proud that a Welsh chap won it in 2018!

Cyclists race under a red arch, scenic mountain views, cyclists on podium with bouquets, Casartelli monument, and cobblestone path.

And there had to be romance, of course, and with Paris being one of the most romantic cities in the world and the end of this particular cycling race, I simply had to have the final scenes take place in this lovely city.

Collage of Paris photos: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, moody Seine River, hotel foyer, and catacombs. Text: "The foyer of our hotel," "A very moody Seine," "The Catacombs."

I hope you enjoyed this little peep behind the scenes of Le Tour de Love. I had such great fun writing the story, and I hope you are as much in love with France (and Alex) as I am.

And if you'd like a closer look at Le Tour de Love, you can do so here.

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