Following Mike White’s stint on Survivor 50 in the 2026 TV schedule, the White Lotus creator is reportedly heading to France very soon to shoot with the exciting cast he’s assembled for Season 4. He’ll be joined by the likes of Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Coogan, Kumail Nanjiani, Chloe Bennet, Max Greenfield, and more primarily in a fishing village and popular seaside resort of Saint-Tropez in the south of France. But are the locals ready for all the attention it’ll bring?
How The White Lotus Has Historically Affected Tourism Of Its Destinations
Across the three seasons of The White Lotus that have come out thus far, as audience members we’ve traveled to Maui in Hawaii, Sicily in Italy, and Koh Samui, Thailand. In a new piece from Condé Nast Traveler about The White Lotus’s upcoming setting of Saint-Tropez in France, First in Service private travel designer Pierre-Alexandre Francin said this about how one of HBO’s hottest shows has changed its destinations:
When the second season of The White Lotus aired—filmed at the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Sicily—the reaction was immediate… The hotel was overwhelmed with booking requests—something like 3,000 in the week after the first episode aired.
Francin also noted that Season 3 “boosted Thailand far beyond the property” because “people wanted to experience the destination for themselves.” With that in mind, the village of Saint-Tropez could be looking at a tourism boost once the new season airs (likely next year).
How Saint-Tropez Locals Are Feeling About Their Village Being Next
So, what do Saint-Tropez locals think about this? The village in Southern France reportedly only has 4,000 permanent residents. Here’s what an owner of a boutique there had to say:
If The White Lotus brings people in April, May, or June, that’s one thing. In July and August, it would be hell.
Viviane Vidal de la Blache
Apparently, as is, summer is the big season for Saint-Tropez, and more tourism just wouldn’t be comfortable. A sandal shop owner echoed the other local’s sentiments with these words:
In summer, there are already a lot of people. Saint-Tropez is a small village—at some point you simply can’t welcome more.
Alain Rondini
While a couple of people sound a little unsure about the series’ effect on Saint-Tropez, the next two comments received from the travel magazine are more optimistic. Here’s what one antique shop owner shared:
Any event that brings attention to the town can only be positive. As a shopkeeper, a few more visitors certainly doesn’t bother me.
Walter Wolkowicz
And then there’s one hotel chairman who actually sounds proud about the inclusion of his hometown for the upcoming season. As he said:
I’ve watched Saint-Tropez evolve since I was a boy. This is another opportunity to shine a light on the village we know and love.
Antoine Chevanne
Overall, there's a mix of thoughts on the whole thing. The show is expected to be primarily at the Château de La Messardière in Saint-Tropez from April to October of this year. In addition to the previously mentioned cast, Sandra Bernhard, Vincent Cassel, Charlie Hall, Alexander Ludwig, Chris Messina, Nadia Tereszkiewicz, and AJ Michalka will be checking in.
It was also just announced this week that Heather Graham and Rosie Perez would be joining as well. We certainly can’t wait to travel via TV to Saint-Tropez once Season 4 comes out!
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