The ‘White Lotus’ is filming the five-star dream on the French Riviera. Here’s what it’s really like

The ‘White Lotus’ Season Four Filming Unfolds in Saint-Tropez’s Luxurious Château

The White Lotus is filming the five – HBO’s critically acclaimed series *The White Lotus* has once again turned a slice of the French Riviera into a backdrop for its signature blend of opulence and dysfunction. This summer, the show’s fourth season is being filmed at Château de la Messardière, a 19th-century estate in Saint-Tropez that has become a dual-purpose haven for both the elite and the entertainment industry. For Kat Jamieson, a fashion influencer and avid fan of the series, the location wasn’t just a setting—it became an unexpected stage for a moment of cinematic serendipity.

A Serendipitous Encounter with Laura Dern

When Jamieson opened the doors to her poolside suite in Saint-Tropez, she was greeted by a scene straight out of a luxury magazine: cameras rolling, crew members bustling, and actor Laura Dern at the center of it all. The Oscar-winning star was lounging by the water, her Missoni caftan catching the sunlight. “She was wearing this fabulous Missoni caftan,” Jamieson recalls to CNN Travel. “I was going to plan on wearing it that day, and then I saw her wearing it by the pool, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re twins.’” The coincidence was too striking to ignore. Jamieson had purchased the same caftan just hours before, in the hotel’s boutique, making the moment all the more surreal.

“The idea of a hotel gift store selling a $1,000 designer pool throwover feels surreal—let alone an actor casually filming a poolside scene as guests watch on,” Jamieson says. “You’re obviously not familiar with the world of *The White Lotus*.”

For those who have followed the show’s previous seasons, the use of high-end resorts as filming locations is no surprise. The series has long leaned into the extravagance of places like the Four Seasons’ San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Sicily, and the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui in Thailand. But this year, the focus has shifted to the French Riviera, a region synonymous with glamour and excess. The choice of Château de la Messardière as the principal location underscores the show’s ability to weave fiction with the real, transforming a private estate into a stage for the 1%’s latest escapades.

The Search for the Perfect Setting

Rumors about the fourth season’s filming location had been circulating for much of last year. The Alps were ruled out early due to creator Mike White’s aversion to cold weather, but the French Riviera emerged as a top contender. Reports suggested White had stayed at the Hotel Negresco in Nice, a picturesque spot on the promenade, and even the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons property in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, was frequently mentioned. However, the final decision fell on Château de la Messardière, which has been confirmed as the primary location for the upcoming season.

The hotel, part of the exclusive Airelles collection, boasts a storied history. Its grandeur and historical charm align perfectly with the show’s aesthetic, offering a mix of old-world elegance and modern luxury. Jamieson, who had already booked her stay at the chateau, was thrilled when the news of filming arrived. “As a longtime fan of the show, I was delighted,” she says. “I assumed the filming would be finished before we arrived, but I never expected to witness it firsthand during my visit.”

A Behind-the-Scenes Perspective

Jamieson and her husband, a financial adviser, were not informed of the filming schedule in advance. “They didn’t contact us, and I don’t know if it’s because they didn’t know this exact schedule,” she explains. “I know they were reshooting some of the scenes because they had an actress change-up, so maybe it was just luck that we got to see the reshoots.” The change-up in question was Laura Dern replacing Helena Bonham Carter, who had been cast in earlier rumors. This shift added to the buzz surrounding the season, with the media speculating about the implications for the plot.

The filming process was visible from the couple’s private terrace. “We could see the entire filming taking place and Laura Dern in her pool scene from our patio,” Jamieson notes. Though they weren’t asked to sign nondisclosure agreements, the crew requested that active filming not be recorded. Guests were allowed to take photos and videos when the cameras weren’t rolling, creating a unique blend of reality and fiction. The couple, while not privy to the full narrative, observed the tension in the poolside scenes. “There seemed to be a tense conversation that Laura was having at the pool with the other actor. They were very deep in convo,” Jamieson adds. “They filmed for probably about five hours by the pool, but the experience was unforgettable.”

The Allure of the French Riviera

Château de la Messardière’s location on the French Riviera is no accident. The region’s reputation as a playground for the wealthy and famous makes it an ideal setting for the show’s satirical take on class dynamics. From the bustling streets of Nice to the serene shores of Saint-Tropez, the Riviera’s contrasting landscapes—cosmopolitan cities and secluded coves—mirror the series’ exploration of privilege and pretension. HBO has also confirmed that the Cannes Film Festival will serve as a backdrop for some scenes, further embedding the show within the cultural fabric of the area.

Meanwhile, the Mandarin Oriental Lutetia in Paris is rumored to make an appearance, though HBO has maintained the narrative will remain anchored to the Riviera. This focus on the French Riviera aligns with the show’s broader theme of the 1% living their idealized lives, often unaware of the chaos lurking beneath the surface. Jamieson’s experience highlights how the series blurs the line between reality and fiction, turning a luxury hotel into a character in its own right.

The ‘Sexy’ Reality of the White Lotus World

For Jamieson, the season’s filming was more than just a spectacle—it was a glimpse into the show’s signature blend of high fashion and high drama. The poolside scenes, in particular, captured the essence of *The White Lotus*’s allure. “All I could pick up plot-wise was some classic *White Lotus*-style ‘tension’ in the poolside scene,” she says. “There seemed to be a lot of unspoken drama, even in the most casual of settings.”

The series’ ability to turn everyday moments into dramatic confrontations is a hallmark of its storytelling. Whether it’s a heated argument over a glass of champagne or a whispered conversation by the water, the Riviera becomes a character, its beauty and exclusivity amplifying the show’s themes. For guests like Jamieson, the experience of watching the filming unfold is a testament to the show’s immersive quality. “It’s like living in a dream,” she says, “but with a twist of reality.”

As the fourth season moves into production, the French Riviera is once again at the center of global attention. The chateau’s transformation into a filming hub has not only boosted its visibility but also reinforced its status as a destination for the elite. For fans and tourists alike, the intersection of *The White Lotus* and real-life luxury offers a unique opportunity to witness the show’s world in action. The result is a season that promises to be as unforgettable as the locations that inspire it.