Death in Paradise in Guadeloupe: stay where the series was filmed
Death in Paradise is filmed every year in Guadeloupe, the island that becomes Saint Marie on screen.
Filming mainly takes place in Deshaies, 15 minutes from the Habitation Caféière Samana Beauséjour. But here, you’re not just close to the setting: the Habitation itself was used as a filming location for two episodes (season 7, episode 6, and season 6, episode 2).
You can now stay there, recognise the locations seen on screen, and set off to explore the rest of Saint Marie right on your doorstep.
What is the island of Saint Marie?
Saint Marie doesn’t exist on a map: it’s the name the series gives to Guadeloupe for the purposes of the fiction. The fictional town of Honoré, where the police station is located, is in fact the village of Deshaies.
So when you stay at Habitation Samana Beauséjour, you are, quite literally, right in the heart of Saint Marie Island.
Where is the series *Death in Paradise filmed?
Death in Paradise is a Franco-British crime series created by Robert Thorogood, which has been broadcast in the UK on BBC One since 2011 and in France on France 2 since 2013.
It is filmed entirely in Guadeloupe, on the Leeward Coast, and mainly in the town of Deshaies — which serves as the setting for the fictional town of Honoré. Filming takes place every year, usually between April and August.
Habitation Caféière Samana Beauséjour, a real-life setting for Death in Paradise
Over the course of the series, two iconic episodes were filmed at the Habitation Caféière Samana Beauséjour, which added a unique dimension to these storylines.
You can watch these episodes in their original version on France.tv.
Season 7, episode 6 — « Meditated in Murder »
Filmed entirely on the estate, which is renamed the "Calming breath Spiritual retreat". Broadcast on 8 February 2018 on BBC1, on 16 June 2018 on RTS1 (Switzerland) and on 10 September 2018 on France 2.
Starring: Ardal O’Hanlon, Danny John-Jules, Joséphine Jobert, Tobi Bakare, Elizabeth Bourgine, Sam Hoare, Katy Wix, Zoe Boyle.
« A murder has just been committed at the Calming Breath Spiritual Retreat. The body of the founder, Daniel Friend, lies on the lawn of the Garden of Contemplation. His neck shows signs of strangulation. Initial evidence suggests he was strangled with a belt from the centre. A key is found beneath his body. A search is carried out on the property. A metal box is found buried underground. The key opens it… »
Photos from the shoot Season 7, episode 6 — « Meditated in Murder »
Season 6, episode 2 — « The Secret of the Flame Tree »
Filmed on the estate, which was transformed into the venue for a literary festival for the occasion.
Broadcast on 12 January 2017 on BBC1, on 16 June 2018 on RTS1 (Switzerland) and on 5 June 2017 on France 2.
Starring: Kris Marshall, Fiona Allen, Joséphine Jobert, Danny John-Jules, Tobi Bakare, Kemi-Bo Jacobs, Ramon Tikaram, Monica Dolan.
« During a literary festival, a childhood friend of Sergeant Florence Cassel is found dead at the foot of a cliff. The cliff features prominently in the novel that made Sylvie Baptiste, the festival’s host, famous. The only clue is a suicide note found in the victim’s bag... »
Photos from the filming of Season 6, Episode 2 — « The Secret of the Flame Tree »
Spotting the locations: a stroll through the series
The best way to spot the locations is on foot. The gate you pass through on arrival, the garden where the investigation in "Meditated in Murder" takes place, the nooks and crannies of the estate explored by the film crew over two seasons: it’s all there, right under your feet, and no longer just on a screen.
Many of our visitors enjoy, whilst strolling freely around the estate, mentally superimposing a scene from the series onto the spot where they are standing. No need for a map or a guided tour: the on-set photos displayed on this page provide a few points of reference to help you start your own treasure hunt, at your own pace.
When you arrive, do feel free to ask us which spots were used as filming locations — we’ll be delighted to tell you all about what went on behind the scenes.
Explore the rest of Sainte-Marie from the Habitation
Habitation Samana Beauséjour is about a 15-minute drive from Deshaies, home to the series’ other iconic locations: the presbytery, which serves as Honoré’s police station, and La Perle beach, where the inspector’s hut was set up during filming.
This means you can combine both experiences: staying overnight in an actual filming location, then setting off to explore the rest of the set just a few minutes’ drive away.
To find out everything about the series — the current cast, where to start, and where to watch it legally — check out our comprehensive guide: → Guadeloupe Death in Paradise: the fan’s guide
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1 — Can you stay overnight at a Death in Paradise filming location in Guadeloupe?
Yes. The Habitation Caféière Samana Beauséjour, in Pointe-Noire, hosted the filming of two episodes of the series (season 7, episode 6, and season 6, episode 2).
Q2 — Why is the island called Sainte-Marie in Death in Paradise?
Saint Marie is a fictional island created for the series. On screen, this is the name given to Guadeloupe, where the series is filmed in its entirety.
Q3 — How long does it take to get from Habitation Samana Beauséjour to Deshaies?
It takes about 15 minutes by car to get from Habitation Samana Beauséjour, in Pointe-Noire, to the centre of Deshaies, the series’ main filming location.
Q4 — Which episodes of Death in Paradise were filmed at Habitation Samana Beauséjour?
Two episodes: season 7, episode 6 ("Meditated in Murder") and season 6, episode 2 ("The Secret of the Flame Tree").
Q5 — Where is the filming location for the Honoré police station in Death in Paradise?
The fictional Honoré police station is actually the former vicarage of the church in Deshaies, Guadeloupe.
Q6 — Where can you watch the episodes filmed at the Samana Beauséjour Caféière Estate?
These episodes are available to watch for free on France.tv and Apple TV. You can watch them in your room using your Smart TV! Find all the details in our comprehensive guide to the series.
