After Hawaii, Sicily and Thailand, The White Lotus is heading to the French Riviera for a highly anticipated fourth season. And it is none other than the legendary Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez that will serve as the backdrop for the series’ latest intrigues.
The White Lotus phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down. HBO’s season 4 will take place in Saint-Tropez, confirming creator Mike White’s fascination with glamorous destinations where luxury and social hypocrisy collide. After Hawaiian beaches and Sicilian palaces, the story now moves to the French Riviera — the perfect playground for a new cast of wealthy, dysfunctional and irresistibly unlikeable characters.
The new season will feature a star-studded cast including Vincent Cassel, Nadia Tereszkiewicz and Corentin Fila, alongside Laura Smet. Helena Bonham Carter, meanwhile, reportedly exited the project following disagreements with the production over her character.
Château de la Messardière: An Iconic Palace at the Heart of the Story
Perched above Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière was not chosen by chance. Overlooking Pampelonne Bay, the five-star property — awarded Palace distinction in 2012 — perfectly embodies the elegance and extravagance of the Riviera lifestyle.
Originally the residence of the Duke of La Messardière, the estate was later transformed into a luxury hotel and now stretches across 13 spectacular hectares surrounded by cypress trees, Mediterranean pines and centuries-old olive trees. Acquired by French entrepreneur Stéphane Courbit, it later joined the Airelles collection, known for its exceptional properties in destinations such as Courchevel and Gordes.
The château makes an impression from the very first moment: turrets, domes and colonnades create an almost cinematic architecture, perfectly suited to the sophisticated drama of White Lotus. Inside, the 86 rooms and suites all offer sweeping views over the gardens, the Ramatuelle vineyards or the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. The aesthetic is bright, elegant and deeply Provençal — a southern interpretation of French art de vivre. The hotel also features multi-bedroom residences and a private bastide, each with its own pool and garden.
Beyond its décor, what truly sets La Messardière apart is its immersive hospitality experience. The palace houses a 1,000-square-meter spa developed with Valmont and LBA, fully renovated with state-of-the-art facilities including a spectacular swimming pool overlooking the bay, nine treatment rooms, a hammam, sauna and fitness center. Sports enthusiasts can also enjoy tennis, boxing, yoga, Pilates and padel courts — not to mention pétanque, naturally.
The culinary offering is equally expansive. Matsuhisa Saint-Tropez by Nobu blends Japanese and Peruvian influences, while Palladio celebrates refined Italian cuisine. La Table de la Messardière offers lavish buffets, and Jardin Tropezina — the property’s beach club — serves Mediterranean cuisine orchestrated by chef Jean-François Piège. Guests can also enjoy pastries by Cédric Grolet, cocktails at Bar 1904, the upcoming Le Voltaire restaurant and Pan Deï by Paul Benimelli, located at another Airelles property in Saint-Tropez.
The property also caters to younger guests with an exceptional kids club: a 500-square-meter villa dedicated entirely to children, complete with a private pool, cinema, game rooms and even an educational farm — essentially a mini-resort within the resort itself.
The Rise of Set-Jetting in Saint-Tropez
While scenes linked to the Cannes Film Festival could also appear throughout the season, few destinations embody glamour and excess quite like Saint-Tropez — making it the ideal setting for White Lotus’ world of privilege and vice.
The Provençal hotspot now joins the growing list of destinations immortalized by the series. Hawaii (season 1), Sicily (season 2) and Thailand (season 3) all experienced significant tourism boosts fueled by the show’s aesthetic appeal and cultural influence, contributing to the rise of “set-jetting” — travel inspired by film and television locations.
Praised for its sharp writing and rewarded with multiple Emmy Awards, The White Lotus has become a global cultural phenomenon. With Saint-Tropez as its new backdrop, season 4 could further amplify the trend, turning Château de la Messardière into the next major pop-culture and travel icon. Somewhere between social satire and luxury fantasy, White Lotus continues to captivate audiences while reshaping the map of the world’s most desirable destinations.
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Featured photo : © Château de la Messardière
