GP
Deshaies
A fishing village on Basse-Terre’s wild northwest coast, with golden beaches and a lush botanic garden
A fishing village on Basse-Terre’s wild northwest coast, with golden beaches and a lush botanic garden
One of Guadeloupe’s longest beaches, a sweep of golden sand backed by palms just north of the village.
Watch for currents and follow any flags.
Photo: Jonathan SALAÜN, CC BY-SA 4.0
A large hillside garden with tropical plants, waterfalls, parrots and views over the coast.
Photo: Tournasol7, CC BY 4.0
The islets off Malendure beach, about 20km south, are at the heart of the Cousteau Reserve, a protected marine area for snorkelling and diving with turtles and coral.
Photo: Kouakou ph, CC BY-SA 4.0
A small seafront village with fishing boats, bars and restaurants around the bay.
Photo: Tournasol7, CC BY 4.0
Seafront restaurants serve grilled fish, lobster, accras and Creole curries. Try a ti’ punch made with local rum.
Beach shacks at Grande Anse offer simple, inexpensive meals.
Pointe-à-Pitre airport is about an hour’s drive. A hire car is the easiest way to explore the coast and the national park; buses are infrequent.
Guadeloupe is an overseas region of France and part of the EU, and uses the euro, but it is not part of the Schengen area. EU citizens need only an ID card; citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for short stays. Check current rules before you travel.
Deshaies has guesthouses, villas and small hotels.
A car adds about US$35–50 per day.
Beaches, gardens and reefs.
Explore the village and spend the afternoon at Grande Anse.
Visit the botanic garden, then hike to a waterfall in Guadeloupe National Park.
Snorkel or dive at the Cousteau Reserve from Malendure beach.
Go early, before boats and crowds arrive.
The tropical sun is strong; use reef-safe sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
June to November is hurricane season, with the highest risk from August to October; check forecasts and travel insurance.
Roads are winding but a car is the easiest way to get around Basse-Terre.
Fans can recognise the village and the police station; filming locations are visible but please respect private property.
Quick answers for planning time in Deshaies.
Guadeloupe is part of France and the EU but outside the Schengen area. Citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for short stays.
Yes, the village is the main filming location for the series.
Grande Anse, a long golden beach just north of the village.
At the Pigeon Islets in the Cousteau Reserve, off Malendure beach about 20km south.
About an hour by car from Pointe-à-Pitre airport.
Google Maps works well; a hire car is the easiest way to get around Guadeloupe.
Free
French and Guadeloupean Creole are spoken; English is less common outside hotels.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Guadeloupe travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.