HBO’s hit series The White Lotus has become a global sensation not only for its sharp satire and layered storytelling, but also for its ability to turn filming locations into highly desirable travel destinations.
With each new season, the show places a spotlight on a luxury setting that quickly captures the imagination of viewers and travelers. After Hawaii in Season 1, Sicily in Season 2, and Thailand in Season 3, attention is now shifting to Season 4.
Variety has learned that the hit anthology will shoot at a 19th-century palace-turned-luxury hotel called the Château de La Messardière in Saint-Tropez on the Côte d’Azur, marking a dramatic shift for the series and its first departure from the Four Seasons hotel portfolio.
A Quick Look Back: Season 3 in Thailand and the “White Lotus Effect”
Season 3, filmed primarily at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui in Thailand, continued the show’s tradition of showcasing high-end resorts set against spectacular natural backdrops.
The cliff-top villas, infinity pools, and cinematic ocean views became just as memorable as the show’s guests, further reinforcing the so-called “White Lotus effect.”
The phenomenon is real and measurable: online searches for Koh Samui Resort increased by a whopping 40 percent following Season 3’s release.
Hotels featured in the series consistently experience surges in bookings and international interest, with many properties becoming bucket-list destinations for fans of the show.
With Thailand already benefiting from renewed attention, fans are now turning their focus to what comes next – and this time, it’s a château in the South of France.
Season 4: The Glamour of the French Riviera
Unlike earlier speculation that pointed toward various global locations, the Château de La Messardière, which is set within 32 acres of parasol pines, cypress trees and jasmine, is part of Airelles Collection, a group of five-star hotels owned by Stephane Courbit, who is also the founder and chairman of Banijay Group – the production company behind shows like Survivor and Peaky Blinders.
This marks the first time The White Lotus will film outside the Four Seasons portfolio, signaling a fresh chapter for the anthology series while maintaining its commitment to ultra-luxury backdrops.
The Château de La Messardière: A 19th-Century Palace with Modern Opulence
The Château de La Messardière is not just any luxury hotel – it’s a destination with history, romance, and architectural grandeur.
A Wedding Gift Turned Luxury Retreat
The castle was built by a well-known cavalry officer in the 19th century for his bride as a wedding gift.
Originally a private residence, the château changed hands multiple times over the decades before undergoing a major renovation in 1989 and joining the prestigious Airelles Collection in 2019.
The property had its grand reopening in 2021 and has since become one of the most sought-after luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur.
Architectural Elegance Meets Mediterranean Charm
The five-star resort has a “blend of Anglo-Moorish, Oriental, Mediterranean, Florentine, and Provençal styles,” making it an eclectic location for the show.
This architectural diversity provides creator Mike White with a visually rich canvas that perfectly suits The White Lotus’s signature aesthetic – where beauty and unease coexist.
The château features 86 rooms and suites, each offering either stunning views of the French Riviera or serene garden-facing accommodations.
Suites at the luxury property run from $3,000 to $8,000 (and up) per night, and the hotel includes a spa, beach access by Rolls-Royce transfer, restaurants, sports activities and a children’s camp.
The property also boasts:
- Two swimming pools set within lush Mediterranean gardens
- A private beach club at the famous Pampelonne Bay with direct beach access
- Multiple restaurants and bars offering Michelin-quality dining
- A children’s camp complete with a miniature train to transport young guests
- A sprawling spa offering world-class treatments
- Surrounding vineyards that add to the property’s Provençal charm
Location, Location, Location
Set just outside the town of Saint-Tropez, the château occupies a privileged position – close enough to the glamorous coastal town to access its legendary beach clubs and nightlife, yet secluded enough to offer privacy and tranquility.
The hilltop location provides sweeping views of the Mediterranean, parasol pines, and the quintessentially French landscape that has attracted the global elite for decades.
Filming Details: When and Where
Filming of Season 4 will begin at the end of April and continue through the end of October, making this one of the longest production schedules in the series’ history. The timing is particularly significant, as it places filming during the height of the Riviera’s social season.
Multiple Locations Create One Fictional Hotel
As with other seasons, this one will not shoot entirely in a single property as White is meticulous about crafting unique backdrops that combine different venues. As such, the Château de La Messardière is one of several places that will host the HBO production.
The story will unfold primarily along the French Riviera, but some scenes will also be filmed at a Paris hotel, expanding the geographical scope beyond the coastal setting.
The Cannes Film Festival Connection
The plot remains tightly under wraps – besides HBO confirming that it will once again follow a group of hotel guests and employees over the course of a week – but sources say that the Cannes Film Festival could be part of the storyline.
Considering that the show will lens on the Riviera during the festival, which runs May 13-26, it certainly sounds plausible.
This potential narrative element would add another layer of glamour, media frenzy, and cultural commentary – all hallmarks of Mike White’s storytelling.
The Cannes Film Festival, with its red carpets, celebrity culture, and stark class divisions, would provide rich material for the show’s satirical lens.
Casting Underway: A French Flavor
Casting is underway for Season 4 and a large number of French actors have auditioned for it. While no official announcements have been made, early reports confirm that Alexander Ludwig and AJ Michalka have joined the ensemble cast, continuing the series’ tradition of mixing established stars with fresh faces.
Why Saint-Tropez Works Perfectly for The White Lotus
The French Riviera, and Saint-Tropez in particular, has a unique ability to blend old-world European charm with contemporary luxury and excess. The region is famous for:
– Ultra-luxury hotels and private estates that cater to billionaires, royalty, and celebrities
Michelin-starred dining and exclusive beach clubs where a single lunch can cost thousands of euros;
– A jet-set atmosphere that peaks in summer, when super-yachts fill the harbors and the world’s wealthy descend on the coast;
– A long-standing reputation as a symbol of European glamour, immortalized in films, fashion, and the lifestyle of icons like Brigitte Bardot;
– Cultural contrasts between the ultra-wealthy tourists and the local French population, service workers, and seasonal migrants.
These elements align perfectly with The White Lotus’s exploration of privilege, power dynamics, and the often uncomfortable interactions between guests and staff in high-end holiday settings.
The show thrives on exposing the tensions beneath the surface of paradise, and few places embody that tension quite like the Côte d’Azur.
The Historical and Cultural Context of Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez has long been synonymous with glamour, but its transformation from a quiet fishing village to a playground for the global elite is relatively recent.
In the 1950s and 60s, the town was “discovered” by artists, writers, and filmmakers. Brigitte Bardot’s 1956 film And God Created Woman, set in Saint-Tropez, catapulted the town to international fame.
Since then, it has attracted everyone from the Rothschilds and Kennedys to contemporary celebrities and tech billionaires.
Today, Saint-Tropez represents the ultimate in Riviera luxury – a place where vintage Ferraris line the harbor, where beach clubs charge €500 for a sunbed, and where the social calendar revolves around exclusive parties, yacht shows, and cultural events like Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez sailing regatta.
For The White Lotus, this setting offers endless opportunities to examine wealth, class, cultural identity, and the performance of luxury that defines modern high society.
Breaking from Four Seasons: What This Means for the Series
For the first three seasons, The White Lotus partnered exclusively with Four Seasons properties:
- Season 1: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii
- Season 2: Four Seasons San Domenico Palace, Taormina, Sicily
- Season 3: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand
The shift to the Airelles Collection signals a creative evolution. While Four Seasons properties are uniformly luxurious, they also carry a certain corporate consistency.
The Château de La Messardière, by contrast, offers something more idiosyncratic – a property with a unique history, architectural personality, and distinctly European character.
This move also suggests that Mike White is prioritizing narrative and aesthetic fit over brand partnerships, allowing each season to have its own distinct visual and cultural identity.
What to Expect: Themes and Storylines
While HBO has remained tight-lipped about specific plot details, we can make some educated guesses based on the setting and the series’ established patterns.
Class and cultural conflict: The French Riviera’s stark divide between the ultra-wealthy and service workers will provide fertile ground for the show’s examination of class dynamics.
European vs. American perspectives: With a significant French cast and European setting, Season 4 may explore cultural differences in attitudes toward wealth, service, privacy, and social interaction.
Old money vs. new money: Saint-Tropez attracts both European aristocracy and newly wealthy tech entrepreneurs, creating potential for social friction.
Celebrity culture: If the Cannes Film Festival storyline materializes, the show could satirize the entertainment industry’s obsession with status and visibility.
Environmental and social issues: The Côte d’Azur faces real challenges around sustainability, over-tourism, and the concentration of wealth – issues The White Lotus could address.
The “White Lotus Effect” on Saint-Tropez Tourism
Saint-Tropez is already one of the world’s most famous luxury destinations, but The White Lotus will introduce it to a new generation of travelers and amplify its global visibility.
Hotels featured in The White Lotus (and other films and TV series) are now soaring in popularity, as some travelers plan their vacations around dreamy on-screen destinations, a phenomenon known as set-jetting.
For the Château de La Messardière specifically, the exposure could be transformative. The biggest hint that Château de La Messardière had been selected as the prime location for White Lotus came three months ago when the luxury hotel closed its doors for the winter.
In a caption, beside sumptuous photos, the hotel teased: “This isn’t a movie set – it’s Château de la Messardière”.
The hotel’s Instagram account continued the teasing with: “The final clap echoes, the sun sets, and the curtain closes on another unforgettable season.
From golden moments to star-studded nights, relive the best of what made this summer iconic. Until next season… the stage is set, and we’re already counting down”.
The property is scheduled to reopen on April 24, 2026 – perfectly timed for the start of filming.
When Can We Expect Season 4 to Air?
While HBO has not announced an official release date, the production timeline offers clues. With filming scheduled from late April through October 2026, post-production would likely extend into early 2027.
Based on previous seasons’ timelines, a premiere in late 2027 or early 2028 seems most probable.
This extended production and post-production period reflects both the show’s meticulous attention to detail and the logistical complexity of shooting across multiple French locations.
A Destination Already Worth Visiting
Even before Season 4 airs, the Château de La Messardière and the broader Saint-Tropez region offer compelling reasons to visit:
The hotel itself is a masterpiece of architecture and hospitality, offering experiences that few properties in the world can match.
Saint-Tropez remains one of Europe’s most fascinating destinations – a place where history, culture, natural beauty, and contemporary glamour intersect.
The broader French Riviera stretches from Saint-Tropez through Cannes, Antibes, Nice, and Monaco, offering endless opportunities for exploration.
The spring and early fall shoulder seasons (when filming will occur) often provide the best weather, fewer crowds, and more authentic experiences than the peak summer months.
The Perfect Marriage of Story and Setting
As The White Lotus continues to blend prestige television with destination storytelling, Season 4’s move to the Château de La Messardière in Saint-Tropez represents a perfect marriage of story and setting.
The château offers everything Mike White needs: visual splendor, architectural character, historical resonance, and the kind of rarefied luxury that makes both compelling television and uncomfortable social commentary.
For travelers, this season will shine a spotlight on one of Europe’s most iconic destinations, potentially introducing it to audiences who might never have considered the French Riviera before.
And for the Château de La Messardière itself, being featured in The White Lotus will cement its status as one of the world’s most desirable luxury hotels.
Wherever The White Lotus goes, travelers follow. With Saint-Tropez as the next destination, the French Riviera is about to experience the full force of the “White Lotus effect” – and the world will be watching.
/ Based on exclusive reporting by Variety, with additional information from Hypebeast, House Beautiful, The Hollywood Reporter, and Riviera Edition. /
