Looking for something magical after dark?

A few times a year, the botanical garden at Deshaies stays open into the night and lights its paths, its ponds and its giant bamboo. Walking through it after sunset is a completely different experience from the daytime visit — quieter, cooler, and unexpectedly theatrical.

The garden opens for evening visits every weekend from 27 March to 3 May, and again from 1 July to 30 August, between 7pm and 11pm.

Bring a camera. The lighting is designed for it.

Deshaies sits about half an hour up the coast from us, and the drive north along the Côte-sous-le-Vent is worth the trip in itself. Fans of the BBC series Death in Paradise will recognise the village — it has been the show’s filming location for years, and the beach bar from the series is a short walk from the garden.

Booking is recommended. Full details and opening dates are on the Deshaies Botanical Garden website.