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Death in Paradise fans have been flocking to Deshaies in Guadeloupe to visit the real-life filming locations of the BBC show
Since its debut in 2011, Death in Paradise has turned Guadeloupe into a favourite holiday spot for fans.
The popular BBC series is shot in Deshaies, the actual town that serves as the fictional Honoré on the island of Saint Marie.
Despite the filming schedule spanning several months each year, the island welcomes visitors all year round, offering fans the chance to visit iconic locations such as the police station, Catherine’s Bar, the detective’s beach shack, and the government house.
Mike Mitchell, who only discovered the series during lockdown, has already made three trips to Guadeloupe and even secured a part as an extra on the show twice. Mike’s first visit to Guadeloupe coincided with the crew’s preparations for the upcoming series in 2022.
After striking up conversations with crew members, Mike and his wife Liz were shown around various set locations. Having visited thrice, Mike and Liz have sought out as many filming sites as possible, including the Botanical Gardens, the zoo, and a lighthouse featured in the series. They even stumbled upon a radio station that was used in an episode involving an on-air murder, reports the Express.
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He told Express: “We found the commissioner’s office, which is not in Deshaies, it’s about 30 minutes down the road. We found a lot of locations just by accident.
“We searched for the radio station and the lighthouse, simply to give us something to occupy ourselves during the day trip because it’s stunning to see. The key thing about Death in Paradise is there’s no smoke and mirrors. What you see on the screen is what is actually there.”
He added: “When you go there, you won’t find street parties and dancing on the street or spicy food. That’s just for Saint Marie alone, not for Guadeloupe. That’s the biggest difference between on screen and actually being there. Other than that, everything is what you see – just beautiful.”
Mike revealed that production occurs on the island’s western side, as the eastern portion is “flatter and marshy”, resulting in less impressive scenery.
Now well-versed in the filming locations, Mike and Liz pick up on subtle details, such as how long it would genuinely take someone to walk home from spots like Catherine’s Bar, having covered the actual distances themselves.
They also catch instances when an actor states they’re heading to a specific place but departs in the opposite direction.
Providing additional insight, Mike said: “The airport they use there is in Deshaies but it’s actually a school. All they do is put a sign outside saying Saint Marie Airport but it’s just an entrance to a school that they use.”
Another enthusiast fortunate enough to experience the location was Selina Ryan, who journeyed to Guadeloupe in December 2019 and returned in 2025. A dedicated fan since the programme’s debut, Selina was thrilled to see the set firsthand.
Following her two journeys to Guadeloupe, Selina pointed out the contrasts she observed between the visits, noting that particular locations and props seemed more readily available in 2019.
Selina went on to say: “When we initially went, you could go into the yellow detective jeep and go on the motorbike that Dwayne used to use. I think they had more things on offer for fans at that point but I think things have changed now. It’s still a great experience.”
She added: “It’s fantastic. Especially if you’re a great fan of the show, it’s just really nice to self-absorb in the actual set. The vibe is really cool. But I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan.”
On her second trip, Selina was fortunate enough to encounter a crew member, who kindly offered to show her around the various filming sites.
She recalled: “There were some guys that did the tour but the price was ridiculous. I nearly gave up but then there was this woman hovering around. She said she worked for the crew and said she’d take us to the set. She turned out to be a runner on set.
“She took us to quite a few different places. She introduced us to people and where the crew set up and where they have their lunch from. It was a completely different vibe from the first time but it was really good.”
Selina invested €180 in the tour, which included herself, her partner and their young son. With filming locations scattered throughout the island, she confessed the price tag didn’t trouble her, particularly given her devotion to the programme.
“I don’t mind paying that because I love the show and it’s a once in a lifetime experience, so for me the cost doesn’t really factor in,” Selina said.
Beyond wandering through the different sets, enthusiasts can venture inside the police station, which transforms into a gift shop between filming periods. For a €20 admission charge, guests can buy memorabilia including mugs, tote bags, bottle openers and T-shirts.
Death in Paradise continues every Friday at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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