Where Is Catherine’s Bar, and How Do You Visit?
Let’s get straight into whether Catherine’s Bar from Death in Paradise is a real place and what you need to know about visiting it. Fans of the show love this beachside hangout where the Saint Marie police team sips cocktails and cracks cases, but is it just a TV set or an actual spot you can visit? I’ve dug into sources like Yahoo, The Times, and Tripadvisor reviews from 2025, plus Death in Paradise fan chatter on X, to give you the full picture. This article covers why Catherine’s Bar matters to the show, where it is in real life, how to visit, what mistakes to avoid, and what happens if you don’t plan your trip right. Plus, you’ll get a practical guide to exploring the bar and other key Death in Paradise locations in Guadeloupe. Here we go.
Is Catherine’s Bar Real?
Yes, Catherine’s Bar is real, but it’s not called that in real life. It’s a beachside restaurant named Le Madras, located at 7 Rue de la Vague Bleue in Deshaies, Guadeloupe, a fishing village that doubles as the show’s fictional town of Honoré on the island of Saint Marie. Elizabeth Bourgine, who’s played Catherine Bordey since the show started in 2011, confirmed this in a 2025 Yahoo interview, saying, “It’s actually a real bar called Le Madras, and it’s a lovely place to go to and have a drink.” The bar’s been the go-to spot for filming Catherine’s Bar scenes since Season 3, after the show switched from another location, La Kaz du Douanier, due to traffic issues in Deshaies.
Why does this matter? Catherine’s Bar is a core part of Death in Paradise. It’s where detectives like Richard Poole, Humphrey Goodman, and Mervin Wilson unwind, discuss cases, or celebrate solving murders. Fans on X in 2025, like a post from @deathinparadise on March 28, call it “the heart of the show,” where key emotional moments happen, like Neville’s farewell in Season 13. If you’re a fan, visiting Le Madras lets you step into that vibe, sip a rum punch, and feel like you’re part of the Saint Marie crew. But if you don’t know what to expect, you might be let down by the reality versus the TV magic.
Where Is Catherine’s Bar, and How Do You Visit?
Le Madras is in Deshaies, a coastal town on Basse-Terre, one of Guadeloupe’s main islands. Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory with a population of about 400,000, has been where Death in Paradise has filmed since 2011. Deshaies, with around 4,000 residents, is the real-life stand-in for Honoré, and Le Madras sits on a beachfront terrace at the north end of the bay, offering views of the Caribbean Sea. Its coordinates are 16.30756, -61.79448, if you’re mapping it out. The restaurant serves Creole and Cajun dishes, fresh seafood like ouassous (local prawns), and cocktails like mojitos or piña coladas, with prices around €6.50 per drink, though some Tripadvisor reviews mention unexpected charges, like a €16 bill for two drinks.
How do you get there? Fly into Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP) on Grande-Terre, then drive or take a taxi about 45 minutes west to Deshaies. There’s no direct flight from the UK—you’ll need to connect in Paris—but U.S. travelers can fly direct. Once in Deshaies, Le Madras is easy to find along the waterfront. It’s open evenings, but the beachside terrace fills up fast, so reserve ahead, especially during peak season (December to April). You can also join a Death in Paradise tour, like the one from Karukera Experiences, which includes Le Madras, the Honoré Police Station (actually the Presbytery of St. Peter and St. Paul Church), and the Botanical Garden. These tours, costing around €15-20, run from Pointe-à-Pitre and cover key filming spots.
What’s the catch? Le Madras isn’t always the dreamy spot you see on TV. Elizabeth Bourgine noted in her Yahoo interview that filming often happens on rainy days, requiring quick shoots when the weather clears. Tripadvisor reviews from 2025 are mixed—some praise the “lovely setting” and “delicious seafood,” but others complain about slow service, with waits up to 20 minutes for drinks or 25 minutes to order food, only to be told the kitchen’s closed. One reviewer felt the staff prioritized locals over English-speaking tourists, which left a “bad vibe.” If you don’t book a table or visit during a busy night, you might miss out on the terrace experience.
Why Catherine’s Bar Matters to Death in Paradise
Catherine’s Bar, run by Catherine Bordey (Elizabeth Bourgine), is more than a backdrop. It’s where the team—whether it’s Ben Miller’s Richard Poole, Ralf Little’s Neville Parker, or Don Gilet’s Mervin Wilson—gathers to reflect on cases or share personal moments. In the show, it’s a beachfront spot in Honoré where the detectives sip cocktails, like the tropical drinks mentioned on the Deshaies tourism site. Fans on X in 2025 love its role, with one posting, “Every episode needs that Catherine’s Bar scene!” The bar’s also tied to Catherine’s arc—she’s the mayor of Saint Marie and mother of Camille Bordey, a key detective in early seasons.
Why should you care? Visiting Le Madras connects you to the show’s heart. It’s where you can sit in the same seats as Humphrey or Neville, snap photos with the bay in the background, and feel the Death in Paradise vibe. The show’s pulled over 8 million viewers in 2024, and its 14th season, ending March 28, 2025, kept fans hooked with scenes at the bar. If you skip it, you’re missing a chance to live the Saint Marie experience, but you need to know what you’re getting into to avoid disappointment.
Common Mistakes When Visiting Le Madras
Fans make a few slip-ups when chasing the Catherine’s Bar experience. First, don’t expect Catherine Bordey to serve you—she’s fictional, and the real staff at Le Madras aren’t actors. Second, don’t show up without a reservation, especially for the terrace. TripAdvisor reviews stress that it’s “fully booked” often, and one fan missed out on a sunset view because they didn’t reserve. Third, don’t assume the service will be fast. Reviews mention waits of 20-45 minutes, even when it’s quiet, and some felt ignored if they didn’t speak French. Finally, don’t expect a Death in Paradise museum—there are photos of the cast inside, but the bar doesn’t heavily market its TV fame.
How to do it right? Book a table at least a day ahead, ideally for early evening to catch the sunset. Bring basic French phrases, as some staff don’t speak English. Check the menu online—expect €15-25 for a meal with seafood or Creole dishes like curried goat. If you’re on a tour, confirm Le Madras is included, as it’s sometimes swapped for another restaurant if booked out.
What Happens If You Don’t Plan Your Visit?
If you wing it, you might face long waits or no seats at Le Madras, especially during peak season or filming (May to August). You could end up like the Tripadvisor reviewer who waited 20 minutes for a drink and left after being overcharged. Worse, you might miss the terrace entirely if it’s reserved or closed for filming—Elizabeth Bourgine mentioned rainy days disrupt shoots, which can shut down the bar. If you don’t visit, you’ll miss a unique Death in Paradise experience, but you can still catch other locations like the Honoré Police Station (St. Peter and St. Paul Church, 16.30655, -61.79384) or the Inspector’s shack at Anse La Perle beach, though the shack’s a set rebuilt each season.
What’s the risk? You’ll lose the chance to feel like part of the show. Fans on Reddit in 2025 rave about sitting at Le Madras, saying, “It’s like being in Honoré.” Without planning, you might also overspend—Deshaies is pricier than other Guadeloupe towns, with meals at Le Madras hitting €20-30 per person.
Exploring Other Death in Paradise Locations
While Le Madras is a highlight, Deshaies has more Death in Paradise spots. The Honoré Police Station is the Presbytery of St. Peter and St. Paul Church, a short walk from Le Madras. It’s open as a small museum (9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday) with T-shirts and props, but it’s closed during filming or church events. The Inspector’s shack is built on Anse La Perle beach, 3 miles north of Deshaies, but it’s dismantled after each season, so don’t expect to sleep there. The Deshaies Botanical Garden, where Richard Poole was killed in Season 3, Episode 1, is a must-visit for its 7 acres of exotic plants and koi ponds, about 1 km south of town.
How to see them? Rent a car from Pointe-à-Pitre for flexibility—public transit is spotty. A Death in Paradise tour covers these spots in 6 hours, starting at €15-20, but book early to ensure access. Don’t miss the harbor, seen in opening shots, or Plage de Grande-Anse for a swim.
Why Death in Paradise and Le Madras Endure
Death in Paradise has hooked over 8 million UK viewers since 2011, with Season 14 (January 31 to March 28, 2025) and a confirmed Season 15 in 2026 keeping the momentum. Its formula—murder, whiteboard clues, and bar scenes—works because it’s comforting yet fresh with new detectives like Don Gilet’s Mervin Wilson. Le Madras, as Catherine’s Bar, is a fan magnet because it’s real, unlike the fictional Saint Marie, which blends Guadeloupe’s size (63 square miles) with a British-French vibe. Fans on X in 2025 still post about visiting, with one saying, “Le Madras was worth the trip!” If you skip it, you miss a tangible link to the show’s magic.
Conclusion
Catherine’s Bar is real—it’s Le Madras in Deshaies, Guadeloupe, a Creole restaurant where Death in Paradise films its iconic scenes. Visit for seafood, cocktails, and a chance to sit where your favorite detectives solved cases, but book ahead and brace for spotty service. The bar’s central to the show’s heart, and with Season 15 coming in 2026, it’s a must for fans. Check the guide below for visiting tips, and share your plans in the comments!
Death in Paradise Catherine’s Bar Visit Guide Location: Le Madras, 7 Rue de la Vague Bleue, Deshaies, Guadeloupe (16.30756, 61.79448) How to Get There: Fly to Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP), then drive/taxi 45 minutes west to Deshaies. No direct UK flights—connect in Paris. The S. has direct flights. What to Do: Book a terrace table at Le Madras for sunset views. Expect €15-25 for seafood meals, €6.50 for cocktails. Try ouassous or mojitos. Take photos with the cast pictures inside. Tips: Reserve 1-2 days ahead, especially December-April. Bring basic French phrases—some staff don’t speak English. Check for filming (May-August) to avoid closures. Nearby Spots: Honoré Police Station (St. Peter and St. Paul Church, 16.30655, 61.79384), open 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Sun, Tue, Wed, Fri). Deshaies Botanical Garden (1 km south). Anse La Perle beach (3 miles north, shack set). Tours: Karukera Experiences’ 6-hour Death in Paradise tour (€15-20) covers Le Madras, police station, and more. Book early.
Frequently Asked Questions About Catherine’s Bar
Is Catherine’s Bar a real place?
Yes, it’s Le Madras restaurant in Deshaies, Guadeloupe, used since Season 3.
Can I visit Le Madras?
Absolutely. It’s at 7 Rue de la Vague Bleue. Reserve ahead for the terrace.
Is the service at Le Madras good?
Mixed. Some love the food and vibe; others report 20-45 minute waits and language barriers.
What’s the best time to visit?
Evening for sunset, December-April for peak season. Avoid May-August during filming.
Are other Death in Paradise locations nearby?
Yes, the police station (church presbytery), Botanical Garden, and Anse La Perle beach are within 3 miles.
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