The guests for The White Lotus Season 4 will check into a real castle. The HBO series will film its next deadly vacation at the Château de la Messardière, a 19th-century palace-turned-hotel in the luxurious town of Saint-Tropez, France. This news, first reported by Variety, marks a significant change for the show and gives fans the first major clue about the setting for the upcoming season.
Filming for the new season is scheduled to begin in mid to late April 2026 and continue through October 2026, suggesting the production will capture the height of the French Riviera’s busy summer season. For the first time, the show will not use a Four Seasons hotel as its primary backdrop, ending a partnership that defined the first three seasons.
Inside The White Lotus Season 4 Hotel In France
The Château de la Messardière is more than just a luxury hotel; it’s a historic property with a story fit for the show. It was originally built as a private palace in the 19th century by a wealthy cognac merchant, who gave it to his daughter as a wedding gift. It later became a hotel in the 1920s, attracting wealthy Parisians. After a period of decline and a major restoration, it is now part of the Airelles Collection of five-star hotels.
The hotel sits on 32 acres of land overlooking the Bay of Saint-Tropez. It features 86 rooms and suites, with nightly rates that start around $1,300 for its smallest rooms during the opening of the season and can reach upwards of $8,000 to $12,000 for suites during the peak of summer. Amenities include a spa, multiple restaurants, a large central pool, and a sporting club. While the hotel is slightly inland, it offers guests private beach access via a complimentary Rolls-Royce shuttle service.
This location is a notable shift from the coastal settings of past seasons. Creator Mike White previously hinted at a change in scenery, stating in a video message, “For the fourth season, I want to get a little bit out of the ‘crashing waves against rocks’ vernacular”. However, he confirmed the show’s core premise remains intact, adding, “there’s always room for more murders in the White Lotus hotels”.
The White Lotus Season 4 Cast, Filming, And Story Details
While the full plot of season four remains a secret, sources indicate the story will unfold across multiple French locations. The action will not be confined to the Château. The season will also film at other sites along the French Riviera and includes plans for scenes at a hotel in Paris. The lengthy filming window, which overlaps with the world-famous Cannes Film Festival in May, has led to speculation that the festival could be woven into the season’s storyline.
Casting is actively underway. HBO has already confirmed the first two new actors joining the ensemble: Alexander Ludwig (Vikings, The Hunger Games) and AJ Michalka (The Goldbergs). Reports suggest the production is looking at a large number of French actors for roles. As for familiar faces, it is currently unknown which, if any, past characters will return. Only three actors have appeared in more than one season so far: Jennifer Coolidge (Tanya), Natasha Rothwell (Belinda), and Jon Gries (Greg).
In a recent interview, actress Parker Posey, who starred in Season 3, expressed uncertainty about a return, telling E! News, “I have no idea if I’m in it”. Jon Gries also suggested his character’s story might be over, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “I don’t think [I’m coming back], but I don’t know”.
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A New Era For The Show’s Locations
Season four breaks the show’s established pattern by moving away from the Four Seasons hotel chain. The first three seasons were filmed at Four Seasons properties in Maui, Sicily, and Thailand, supported by a marketing partnership between HBO and the hotel group. That agreement is not in place for the new season, giving creator Mike White a wider range of options for the first time.
This approach of using multiple venues within one season was tested in Season 3, which used the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui as its main setting but also filmed at three other non-Four Seasons hotels in Thailand. For Season 4, while the Château de la Messardière is the primary base, it will be just one of several backdrops used.
The search for the perfect French hotel was a closely watched process. Before the Château was selected, Mike White was reportedly seen scouting other luxurious spots on the Riviera last summer, including the historic Hotel Negresco in Nice.
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