HBO's acclaimed satire The White Lotus is trading its signature Four Seasons backdrop for a French Riviera castle, with reports confirming the show's fourth season will be filmed at the opulent Château de La Messardière in Saint-Tropez.
A New Era of Luxury: Departing from Four Seasons
This move marks a significant shift for the award-winning series. The first three seasons were primarily filmed at Four Seasons hotels, but HBO did not renew its marketing partnership with the luxury chain ahead of the new production. Instead, the show will utilise a property from the Airelles Collection, owned by French media mogul Stéphane Courbit.
Courbit is the founder and chairman of Banijay Group, the television giant behind global hits like Survivor. Intriguingly, The White Lotus creator Mike White is a former Survivor contestant and is slated to return for the show's 50th season, adding a layer of connection behind the new location choice.
Inside the $8,000-a-Night Saint-Tropez Castle
Nestled within 32 acres of pine forests and overlooking the iconic resort town, Château de La Messardière is the epitome of Riviera glamour. Originally built in the 19th century as a wedding gift for a brandy merchant's daughter, the castle was purchased by Airelles in 2019 and underwent a complete renovation before reopening in 2021.
The hotel's exclusivity is matched by its price tag. Suites typically command between $3,000 and a staggering $8,000 per night. The resort boasts an array of extravagant amenities, including:
- 28 rooms and 71 suites
- A private villa and a luxury spa
- Five restaurants and a children's camp
- Beach access via Rolls-Royce transfer
Plot, Cast, and What Comes Next
While an official release date for season four is yet to be announced, it is not expected to arrive until late 2026 or possibly 2027. The new season is anticipated to follow the established format, exploring the darkly comic lives of wealthy guests at a White Lotus property where a murder has occurred.
The third season, set in Thailand and airing in 2025, featured a star-studded ensemble including Carrie Coon, Jason Isaacs, and Michelle Monaghan, earning 23 Emmy nominations. Previous reports have suggested the fourth season will be set between Paris and the French Riviera, meaning further filming locations are likely to be revealed alongside the Saint-Tropez castle.
This new chapter promises to continue the show's legacy of skewering privilege in breathtaking locales, now with the added grandeur and history of a Côte d'Azur castle.
