The French TV series Commandant Saint-Barth, airing on TF1 since November 2024, is a sunny crime comedy starring comedian Florent Peyre. Despite what the name suggests, the series isn’t set in Saint Barthélemy. Instead, it’s filmed in Guadeloupe, on the island of Grande-Terre, mainly in the town of Sainte-Anne.

So why the name Saint-Barth? What is the show about? And where exactly is it filmed? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Commandant Saint-Barth about?

The story follows Gabriel Saint-Barthélémy, a flamboyant, unconventional police officer who returns to his childhood island to solve murder cases.

In the first episode, a woman’s body is found… at the top of a coconut tree. That bizarre setup tells you everything: this show is about quirky mysteries, eccentric characters, and sun-drenched absurdity.

A tropical crime series in the spirit of Death in Paradise and Tropiques Criminels

Commandant Saint-Barth clearly follows the footsteps of BBC’s Death in Paradise and France 2’s Tropiques Criminels (starring former Miss France Sonia Rolland). These series combine murder mysteries with exotic locations and easygoing storytelling.

But TF1 adds more comedy here. The show doesn’t take itself seriously: it blends police procedural elements with sketch-like humor.

Where is Commandant Saint-Barth filmed?

The show is filmed in Guadeloupe, on Grande-Terre island, primarily in Sainte-Anne. Key filming locations include:

• Hotel Manganao, transformed into a resort tied to the hero’s childhood.
• Local beaches, villas, markets, and streets serve as natural sets.

Guadeloupe was chosen for its beauty, stable filming conditions, and previous experience hosting shows like Death in Paradise.

Why use the name “Saint-Barth” if it’s not set in Saint Barthélemy?

The name “Saint-Barth” is both a clever marketing hook and the surname of the main character, Gabriel Saint-Barthélémy. It evokes images of Caribbean luxury and charm, but the show quickly plays with the expectation by revealing it’s all happening somewhere else—with a wink.

Who stars in the show?

• Florent Peyre as Commandant Gabriel Saint-Barthélémy
• Philypa Phoenix as George Mondésir
• Yannig Samot as Auguste Ventura
• Joyce Bibring as Maître Avril Rosier
• Roxane Bret as Charlie Koster
• With appearances by Matthias Van Khache, Nathanaël Beausivoir, and others.

Should you watch it?

If you enjoy light-hearted crime shows with tropical settings and French humor, Commandant Saint-Barth is a fun and quirky series to unwind with. It’s not a gritty detective drama, but it’s charming, colorful, and definitely made for escapism.

And if you’re a fan of Saint Barthélemy? Don’t expect an authentic portrait—but you might enjoy the name drop.