The next installment of HBO’s hit series The White Lotus will be set in Saint-Tropez, France, at the Château de La Messardière – a departure from the Four Seasons properties used in previous seasons. This shift signals a thematic focus on established European wealth rather than modern extravagance. The choice of location is significant: Saint-Tropez embodies a long history of luxury and exclusivity, shaped by artists, celebrities, and the super-rich for decades.
Saint-Tropez: From Fishing Village to Playground of the Elite
Saint-Tropez was once a quiet coastal town until the mid-20th century, when French actress Brigitte Bardot purchased a home there. This drew international attention and transformed the area into a magnet for Hollywood stars, yacht owners, and the European aristocracy. Today, the town balances high-end beach clubs, designer boutiques, and a bustling harbor where both fishing boats and superyachts compete for space. The contrast highlights Saint-Tropez’s unique blend of local life and extreme wealth.
Château de La Messardière: A Resort with a Past
The Château de La Messardière dates back to the early 19th century, built as a wedding gift by a cognac magnate. By the 1920s, it was already a luxury resort, hosting the elite during the Roaring Twenties. After periods of abandonment, the property was restored in 1989 and acquired by a resort-owning family in 1992. They emphasized its features – especially the pool overlooking the Mediterranean – to reclaim its status as a prime destination. The resort’s hilltop location reinforces a sense of separation from the town below, both physically and socially.
Visiting the Resort: Costs and Amenities
The Château de La Messardière now operates as part of the Airelles Collection, offering guests access to multiple pools, 32 acres of gardens, a luxury spa, and Mediterranean cuisine. Prices reflect the exclusivity: rates start around $1,400 per night in the low season (April) but can reach as high as $13,000 for a one-bedroom suite during peak summer. Prices are likely to increase as the show’s popularity grows. The fourth season of The White Lotus is expected to premiere in late 2026, with filming scheduled around the French Riviera through October 2026.
The shift to Saint-Tropez and Château de La Messardière suggests The White Lotus will explore themes of generational wealth, historical privilege, and the enduring allure of European aristocracy. The contrast between the resort’s luxury and the town’s working-class life is likely to be a central tension in the upcoming season.
