Following Hawaii, Sicily, and Thailand, Cannes was selected over several other international destinations to host the filming of the highly anticipated fourth season of the hit series “The White Lotus”, created by the talented Mike White.
The HBO phenomenon is setting up its cameras in Cannes, marking a new milestone in the city’s international influence and reaffirming its status as a major hub for audiovisual production.

A long-standing collaboration

This announcement builds on a relationship that began in October 2021, when Mike White spoke at CANNESERIES as part of the CANNESERIES Writers’ Club. Captivated by the destination’s unique atmosphere, the creator has since developed a close bond with Cannes.

In the second half of 2024, an international competition pitted several countries—France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Germany, and Norway—against one another to host this new season. Starting in the first half of 2025, the Cannes City Hall team initiated a series of meetings with local stakeholders to highlight the region’s strengths: a unique cultural and heritage richness, a strong European legacy embodied by the French Riviera, and an events ecosystem centered around the 7th Art.

By the end of summer 2025, France had been officially selected. In the fall, Mike White moved to Cannes to begin the writing phase, immersing himself in the city’s identity and scenery. Location scouting and site selection then took place between the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, ahead of a planned start to filming in the second quarter of 2026.

An International Film Shoot

Filming will take place over more than 50 days, spread out over a four-month period. Several iconic Cannes landmarks will be featured, including the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the Hôtel Martinez—the flagship hotel of Season 4, which will be renamed White Lotus Cannes for the occasion—and must-see sites of Cannes life, providing an exceptional backdrop for this new storyline.

This project also represents a significant economic impact for the region, generating over 17,000 overnight stays in the city. It will also engage numerous local professionals in the audiovisual industry, including production managers, technicians, and specialized service providers, directly contributing to local employment and expertise. Just as with the benefits observed during the filming of the previous season in Thailand, the series serves as a powerful driver of visibility and tourist appeal on a global scale.

A momentum driven by the creative economy

Hosting “The White Lotus” is fully in line with the City of Cannes’ strategy for developing the creative economy. This strategy is based on a comprehensive ecosystem that combines training, production, distribution, and innovation. At the heart of this dynamic, the Cannes On Air initiative embodies the city’s ambition to structure and strengthen a world-class audiovisual sector by connecting talent, creative spaces, and industry players.

Centered around the Georges Méliès Campus, dedicated to the visual arts and screenwriting, and internationally recognized infrastructure, Cannes is developing a structured sector of excellence. This ambition is also reflected in the organization of major events such as the Cannes Film Festival, CANNESERIES, and the Film Market, which actively contribute to the sector’s vitality.

By facilitating the hosting of large-scale film shoots and supporting productions, the City is affirming its strategic position in the cultural and creative industries, while supporting local employment and expertise.

A New International Showcase

By hosting *The White Lotus*, Cannes is taking a new step forward in its
audiovisual development. This major film production further solidifies Cannes’ position as an exceptional natural setting and a preferred partner for major international productions such as Warner Bros. Discovery.