Guadeloupe has become a popular destination for fans of the BBC series Death in Paradise, which has been filmed in the town of Deshaies since 2011. The real-life location doubles as the fictional Honoré on the island of Saint Marie. Visitors can explore key sites such as the police station, Catherine’s Bar, the detective’s beach shack, and the government house throughout the year.
Mike Mitchell, who discovered the show during lockdown, has travelled to Guadeloupe three times and even appeared as an extra twice. On his first trip in 2022, he and his wife Liz met crew members who showed them around the set. They have since visited many locations, including the Botanical Gardens, the zoo, a lighthouse, and a radio station used in an episode.
Mitchell noted that the show’s depiction is largely accurate: “What you see on the screen is what is actually there.” However, he pointed out that street parties, dancing, and spicy food are fictional elements created for Saint Marie. Filming occurs on the west side of the island, as the east side is “flatter and marshy.”
Another fan, Selina Ryan, visited in December 2019 and again in 2025. She observed that some props, like the yellow detective jeep and Dwayne’s motorbike, were accessible in 2019 but not during her later trip. During her second visit, a crew member gave her a personal tour, showing her where the crew set up and had lunch.
Mitchell also revealed that the airport shown in the series is actually a school in Deshaies, with a sign reading “Saint Marie Airport” placed outside. He and his wife now notice inconsistencies, such as characters walking in the wrong direction for claimed destinations.
