On the road to Sainte Marie

The Honoré Police Station is located in the old rectory in the sleepy village of Deshaies, next to the St Pierre-et-Paul church. Ralph Little loved Deshaies and liked to rest in a cell during breaks - because it's not that warm here. When filming is not in progress, there is a small museum (admission € 15 p. p. 2025) to visit - the brainchild of Jeanny Marc. But do you know the history of the vicarage? The market in front of the church is only organized for the series. Just like the markets by the sea or the harbor. But where are the next colorful tropical weekly markets?  The small fish market in Baille Argent is definitely very charming. And do the bars really play Tiney Winey Soca Calipso like in the films or Zouk and Latino music?

Catherine's Bar (closed on Wednesdays) is the meeting place after the cases are solved at the end of each episode. Some of the crew sometimes sit there after a long and hot day of filming. Over an Etensel beer, a favourite on Ste Marie, or perhaps Corsaire beer from Guadeloupe? Catherine becomes the mayor of Honoré shortly after the arrest of Joseph Richards in episode 6.8. Officer Myers had elegantly knocked out rival candidate Peter Baxter.  Jeanny Marc, a former member of the French National Assembly, is the mayor of Deshaies. Why has Deshaies retained this charm? There is a reason for this. It lies with a mayor. Jeanny Marc and Max Mathiasin...a number of well-known politicians in France currently come from this small town. Incidentally, both are also cousins... Elisabeth Bourgine's son Jules Miesch plays Raphaël Coty in season 13, episode 8. However, you never see them together in the episode. That's not possible because Catherine Bordey wasn't in Deshaies at the time of Jules' stay.

A special feature in the third season of the series. The name of the Créole Beach Hotel & Spa will not be changed in the 4th episode. DI Humphrey can investigate luxuriously without delay. In fact, the crew of Air France wanted to be accommodated at the Creole Beach Hotel. However, only years after the filming of this aircrew story. (Source: Syndicat des Navigants du Groupe Air France, Comite Hebergement 2019). It was the same with the Hotel Rayon Vert in episodes 6.5 and 7.2 and the posh Hotel Toubana & Spa, where Aunt Mary was placed in season 5. There was even advertising on the transfer bus at the airport of Sainte Marie.

Deshaies is increasingly becoming the St Tropez of the small Antilles: yachts, windjammers up to 600 people, about 10 cruise ships in the winter season 2023/2024 and fishing boats. Nevertheless, the place remains authentic. Traditional sailing at the yacht club Déhé Vwal. The High Light: the Traditour in July. The port of Deshaies does not receive ships proposing regular traffic, such as in episode 8.1 of the Honore Port the Iguana Beach, which in reality is traveling from St Francois to Terre-de-Haut and Marie-Galante. Iguana Beach is the liner of Death in Paradise. Also DS Camille Bordey said goodbye in episode 4.4 with this ferry or DS Florence Cassell returned in episode 10.1 with it and drove in season 13 with DI Neville Parker to the farewell together. The speed boat "Karambor" from Gwadaventure in Sainte Rose often brings the police team to the crime scenes under the name "Caribbean Princess," for example in episode 6.5 "Man over board."

The Creole Villa Belle Cabresse and the Hotel Habitation de Comté, located on the same beautiful tropical park, served as a golf course and golf club. In the second episode of season 11, Bradley Faircroft was slain by his brother Connor Faircroft. DI Neville Parker was initially a bit confused and the Comissioner worried about tourism, over a glass of rum, of course.

The bay of Deshaies is one of the central filming locations: at the harbour, on the boats, in Catherine's bar (Restaurant la Kaz, then le Madras) and on the streets of the town centre - since the first episode in 2011. The very family-orientated Sarah Martins broke her foot here at the harbour during a stunt while running along the jetty. She never allowed herself to be doubled - Cape Verdean pride? That's why Camille Bordey was absent when the inspector was caught with dengue fever. The script had to be rewritten. If you watch episodes 7 and 8 of the first season, you'll see that Camille Bordey barely runs or doesn't run smoothly. As we know from episode 1 of season 5, Joséphine Jobert also masters such sprints on the harbour. And the triple jump over the boats - did you do that yourself? In episode 7.2, Florence Cassell arrives at the police station on crutches. Had Joséphine broken her foot or did Danny John-Jules want to play sergeant?

The botanical garden of Deshaies is one of the main sights of Guadeloupe. DI Richard Poole was murdered here in the first episode of season 3.  Formerly owned by the French comedian Coluche, it was the landscape gardener Michel Gaillard who gave the estate its present form. Michel Gaillard, who was very popular with his employees, had to fight for a long time to complete his project. What were the reasons? The mayor did not want large hotels, a cinema or oversized advertising posters, but rather gentle tourism. It fitted in with the tourism concept. But what was bothering the local council in Deshaies? It wasn't Pico, the model pupil of the Royal St Helene Dog Police Academy, although he was taken out of circulation again after episode 7.4. The success of soft tourism has its price. Recently, parking fees have been charged at ticket machines in Deshaies. Day trippers can avoid these charges by parking in Sainte Rose or at Plage de Cluny and taking the public minibuses to Deshaies or to Plage de Grande Anse in Ziotte.

Often misunderstood, Pointe Noire used to be one of Guadeloupe's most important cities. The government building with the seat of the Comissioner is located at Place de la Liberté. In episode 9.1 a great New Year's Eve party was set up there and in the Christmas special of the 13th season the light is turned off the police chief there during a speech. In the rainforest of Pointe-Noire, many scenes were shot, including episode 4.7 or episode 8.2 in the zoo of Guadeloupe. Here, too, there are fascinating filming locations, such as the Habitation Samana Beausejour, a former coffee plantation in the hinterland (episodes 6.2 or 7.6). The city library of Pointe Noire is the seat of the Sainte Marie Times (episode 6.7)

Shortly after Sainte Rose, several episodes were filmed in the small village of Comté de Lohéac. In the center: the cute hotel Habitation de Comté. This is where Mr and Mrs Knight lived in the 4th episode of the first series. "Best friends." Camille Bordey sniffed in the house, Richard Poole picked the garden apart and in the end Camille already became jealous. In the second episode of the fifth season here was the seat of government of Governor Caroline Bamber. The Comissioner drank champagne for once and there were many suspects. Don Warrington, or as his real name is Don Williams, not only cuts a fine figure in speeches and festivities, but also in dancing, strictely coming dancing on BBC One 2008, at the tender age of 56.

If you follow the series regularly, you will also get an overview of the architectural gems of the island. The Samana Beauséjour is one of the most beautiful colonial buildings of the 19th century. At an altitude of about 300 metres, you can walk in the footsteps of DI Jack Mooney in a tropical garden. Don't worry, there are no steep cliffs nearby. Staying there: an experience.

At a beach wedding, the father of DS Naomie Thomas's best friend was murdered. DI Neville Parker and his team move in support. He cannot enjoy the beauty of the beaches of Port Louis. We are surprised that the legend of Madame Coco has not yet been taken up. On the beaches of Port Louis and Anse Bertrand you will discover Guadeloupe far away from the tourist crowds.