For the fourth season of The White Lotus there is a location – and it is French, luxurious and full of character. Creator Mike White and the production team chose Château de la Messardière, a historic luxury hotel on the French Riviera, one that feels almost like a ready-made film set: Elegant, mysterious, dramatic – and exactly the kind of place where complex stories are woven under the sun.
Where is Château de la Messardière located?
The hotel sits on a hill overlooking Saint-Tropez, with a panoramic view of Pampelonne Beach and the vineyards of Ramatuelle. It is located just a few minutes from the port and the lively life of the town – yet it maintains a sense of seclusion and privacy, a rare combination between Riviera buzz and the quiet of a private estate.
The history behind the palace
The château was built in the 19th century as a romantic wedding gift from the cognac merchant Gabriel Dufay d'Angiac to his daughter Louise and her husband, a cavalry officer named Henri Brisson de la Messardière. In the roaring twenties the château hosted the European elite and lavish parties, but later declined – until it was restored at the end of the 20th century under the supervision of France’s “Monuments Historiques”.
Today it is a five-star palace spread across about 32 dunams of pine trees, cypresses and jasmine, as part of the Airelles Collection group, which also owns luxury hotels in Versailles, Provence, Courchevel and Val d’Isère.
Who owns it today?
The hotel reopened in 2021 after an extensive renovation, and became an official part of the Airelles collection. Today it holds “Palace” status – the highest rank of hotels in France – and is considered one of the most impressive luxury hotels in the south of the country.
Rooms, suites – and the price
The hotel has 86 rooms and suites, some in the original château and some in the surrounding villas. Prices range from about USD 3,000 to 8,000 per night. The design is bright and Mediterranean, with private balconies, terraces and views of the gardens, the sea or the vineyards. Some of the suites include private pools, several bedrooms and spacious living areas – perfect for dramas in the style of The White Lotus.
Spa, private beach and Rolls-Royce
Among the indulgences: A spacious spa with a variety of treatments, several pools, tennis and padel courts, open fitness areas, a kids’ club, a private beach club at Jardin Tropézina – and even a 24/7 Rolls-Royce shuttle connecting the hotel to Saint-Tropez.
With all this, it is no surprise that Château de la Messardière was chosen as the location for the next season of The White Lotus. This is the place where luxury, history and drama meet – and it promises to become one of the most talked-about hotels in the world.